Can Anuj Rawat Successfully Defend His DPL Title and Claim the Six-Hitting Crown?

New Delhi, Aug 18 (NationPress) The captain of East Delhi Riders, Anuj Rawat, is enthusiastic about clinching a second consecutive title in the Delhi Premier League (DPL). He also aims to secure the title of the tournament's leading six-hitter. Anuj currently tops the list for the most sixes, having smashed 17 maximums across six innings. Additionally, he ranks as the team's second-highest run-scorer with 232 runs, boasting an impressive average of 46.40 and a phenomenal strike rate of 184.13.

In their quest to defend the title, the East Delhi Riders find themselves in second place on the leaderboard, trailing only the Central Delhi Kings. Both teams have accumulated 11 points, but the Kings hold a superior net run rate.

“We had excellent preparation ahead of the tournament, and the results are reflecting that. It has been very beneficial for us during the competition,” Anuj shared with IANS regarding his preparation for DPL 2025.

The 25-year-old expressed confidence in his teammates to lead the league stage. “Absolutely! The way we’ve been playing aligns perfectly with my expectations. The players have supported me, and the team atmosphere is very positive. We believe we’ll finish at the top,” Anuj asserted.

“In DPL, I aspire to be the top six-hitter while also defending our championship. I believe we can achieve this by sticking to the fundamentals. Following this, we have the domestic season ahead, and I aim to elevate my game,” the wicketkeeper-batter added.

Anuj, who played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) from 2022 to 2024, did not feature in the IPL 2025 season despite being signed by the Gujarat Titans for Rs 30 lakh in the auction. Nevertheless, he remains unfazed and reflects positively on the experience.

“As a player, you always yearn to be on the field, but I found joy in one aspect: my significant improvement. It's gratifying to reflect on the batting skills I've worked on during the IPL. Continuous improvement is essential, regardless of the level,” he stated.

When discussing Shubman Gill’s leadership as the captain of the Gujarat Titans, Anuj acknowledged that he connects well with his players.

“He is an excellent leader. It's crucial for a leader to be approachable and foster a relationship with the team. I believe he has excelled in this role. His performance in the England series also highlights his skills as a batter,” he remarked.

Anuj revealed his elation when RCB secured their first IPL title earlier this year and mentioned sending a congratulatory message to his former teammate Virat Kohli.

“I was genuinely thrilled. Being part of that franchise made me very happy for RCB and especially for Virat bhaiya. I did send my congratulations,” he said. “Last season, several players transitioned from DPL to IPL, and I am confident that this year, we will see an increase in the number of players making that leap,” Anuj concluded, emphasizing DPL's role in showcasing talent from the national capital.