Wicketkeeper-batter Anuj Rawat has been appointed captain of Purani Dilli 6 for the Delhi Premier League (DPL) Season 3, the franchise confirmed on 28 July. The team opens their campaign on 31 July, with Rawat tasked with steering a squad blending seasoned domestic names and emerging talent toward a title challenge.

Why Rawat Gets the Armband

A regular in Delhi's domestic circuit, Rawat brings T20 leadership experience and the composure that comes with playing at the highest level of Indian domestic cricket. Franchise owner Akash Nangia cited those qualities as central to the decision.

'We are delighted to appoint Anuj Rawat as the captain of Purani Dilli 6 for DPL Season 3. Anuj is a proven performer who brings composure, maturity and a strong understanding of the game. His experience at the highest level and his ability to inspire teammates make him the ideal leader for our squad. We have complete faith in his leadership and are confident he will guide the team with determination and purpose throughout the season,' Nangia said.

Squad Build and Preparations

Nangia added that the build-up to Season 3 has gone well, with the players showing strong commitment during training. 'Our focus has always been on building a well-balanced team with the right mix of experienced players and exciting youngsters. The preparations have been excellent, and the players have shown tremendous commitment during training. With Anuj leading the side, we believe we have all the ingredients to compete strongly and achieve our goal of winning the championship,' he said.

The full 25-player squad includes Lalit Yadav, Udhav Mohan, Rajneesh Dadar, Rohan Rana, Aryan Gaur, Vanam Aggarwal, Ajay Ahlawat, Kush Nagpal, Digvesh Rathi, Yug Gupta, Kabir Sachdeva, Gaurav Saroha, Dev Lakra, Samarth Seth, Mohak Kumar, Yash Kumar, Pankaj Jaswal, Harshvardhan Phogat, Arjun Rexwal, Lakshay Verma, Prince Mishra, Ashwini Chillar, Aditya Verma, and Aditya Malhotra.

DPL Season 3 Context

The Delhi Premier League has grown into one of the more closely watched state T20 leagues in India, offering a platform for Delhi-based cricketers to stake claims for higher honours. Season 3 kicks off on 31 July, and Purani Dilli 6 enter the tournament as one of the franchises with genuine title ambitions. Rawat's dual role as wicketkeeper and captain will be pivotal to how the team shapes its XI across the competition.

How Rawat handles the tactical demands of T20 captaincy — particularly the bowling changes and field placements in the death overs — will likely define Purani Dilli 6's fortunes as the season progresses.