Rajkumar Sharma, the childhood coach of Virat Kohli and head coach of New Delhi Tigers, reflected on his side's Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2026 campaign on 25 August, reaffirming the tournament's role as a critical pipeline for producing cricketers capable of representing the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the national team. His remarks came after South Delhi Superstarz registered a commanding five-wicket win over the Tigers at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, chasing down 169 with more than an over to spare.

Players Sharma Backed to Go the Distance

When asked which members of his squad carry the potential to represent India, Sharma named a mix of established performers and emerging talent. Manish Sehrawat, Himmat Singh, and Hrithik Shokeen were singled out as players who have already proven their quality at this level.

'If we talk about T20 cricket, Manish Sehrawat performed really well. Himmat Singh is a good player, and Hrithik Shokeen is also a solid performer. These players have already established themselves. They are the ones who will continue to work hard in the future. We also have Under-19 boys in our squad who need to learn, but with time, they will grow and become match winners,' Sharma stated.

The Blow That Derailed New Delhi Tigers' Season

Sharma identified the absence of Prince — the side's designated strike bowler and an India-capped player — as the single biggest factor behind the Tigers' early exit. With only two marquee players in the squad to begin with, losing one to injury proved decisive.

'Missing Prince was a massive setback for us. He was our strike bowler and an India player whom we expected to lead our bowling attack. Unfortunately, he got unfit and was unavailable for the entire tournament. Having only two marquee players — Himmat Singh and Prince — losing one left us with significant shortcomings,' he explained.

DPL as a Feeder System: The Bigger Picture

Despite the disappointing finish, Sharma was emphatic about the DPL's long-term value as a talent-development platform backed by the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA). He pointed to the previous edition as evidence, noting that players like Ayush Badoni and Priyansh Arya had used the DPL as a springboard to earn IPL contracts.

'DPL will make a massive contribution. Last year, players like Ayush Badoni and Priyansh Arya made it to the IPL. I am sure this platform provided by the DDCA will be immensely beneficial, and in the future, we will provide even more players to the IPL and the Indian national team,' he noted. This comes amid growing recognition that city-based T20 leagues at the state level are increasingly serving as the first credible filter for national selectors.

Match Summary: South Delhi Superstarz Beat New Delhi Tigers

In the match itself, New Delhi Tigers posted 168/9 in 20 overs, anchored by Lakshay Thareja's 62 off 47 balls, with late contributions from Revaan Rakyan (17 off 6) and Naman Tiwari (10 off 2). Divansh Rawat was the pick of the South Delhi bowlers, claiming 4/25, while Ankit Dabas returned figures of 2/16.

Chasing 169, South Delhi Superstarz paced their reply with composure. Anmol Sharma provided the foundation with a half-century, while Ekansh Dobal anchored the middle overs with an unbeaten 38 off 18. Ankit Dabas sealed the win emphatically, smashing three consecutive sixes in the 18th over to finish with 18 off 5 balls.

Tigers Eye a Stronger Comeback Next Season

Sharma confirmed that the coaching staff has already begun introspection and early planning for the next DPL edition. 'We have a lot of introspection to do. A lot has been planned, and we need to execute it well by starting our preparations early. The boys remain confident that we will bounce back next season,' he added. How quickly the Tigers rebuild around a fit Prince and their Under-19 prospects will determine whether they can convert potential into a title challenge.