Rajkumar Sharma, the Dronacharya Award-winning coach who guided Virat Kohli through his formative cricketing years, has been appointed as the state mentor of Delhi cricket by the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA). The appointment, announced on 3 October 2026, tasks Sharma with identifying and developing grassroots talent across the capital, bridging the gap between club-level cricket and the competitive state franchise circuit.

A Career Shaped Around Delhi Cricket

Sharma's connection with Delhi cricket runs far deeper than his association with Kohli. Over the years, he has trained several young cricketers and recently served as the head coach of the New Delhi Tigers in the Delhi Premier League Season 3, where his primary mandate was guiding emerging players and creating structured pathways for promising talent. He has also been nominated as the DDCA's male representative nominee to the Indian Cricketers' Association (ICA) Apex Body, underscoring his standing in the national cricketing ecosystem.

What Sharma Said on the Appointment

Accepting the role, Sharma expressed both gratitude and ambition. “I am honoured to take on this responsibility with the DDCA and grateful to President Rohan Jaitley for his trust. Having been closely associated with Delhi cricket for many years, I look forward to contributing to its next phase,” he said.

Sharma pointed to Delhi’s storied cricketing legacy as both an inspiration and a benchmark. “Delhi has immense talent and has given India some great players over the years, including Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir, Ishant Sharma, Virender Sehwag, Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant, along with many promising players from the new generation. Our focus must be on identifying and nurturing this talent from the grassroots, with the right guidance, technology and facilities,” he added.

Sharma also emphasised inclusion and transparency as core pillars of his mentorship vision. “I want to be accessible to every player—boy or girl, from club to state level—who dreams of representing India and provide them with the right advice and mentorship. We also need to build an ecosystem where selections are transparent, players’ genuine needs are addressed, and those who require financial or other support are given the backing to develop fully,” he said.

DDCA Leadership Welcomes the Move

DDCA President Rohan Jaitley praised Sharma’s depth of experience, saying, “He has been closely associated with Delhi cricket and has played an important role in nurturing young talent. His experience and understanding of the game make him a valuable addition to our set-up. We look forward to his mentorship helping our young cricketers grow and take the next step in their journey.”

DDCA Vice President Shikha Kumar echoed that sentiment, noting: “Rajkumar Sharma Ji brings immense experience and a deep understanding of Delhi cricket. His appointment will further strengthen our efforts to identify and nurture talent at the grassroots, giving young boys and girls the right opportunities, guidance and support to progress. We want every aspiring cricketer to have a clear pathway to develop and fulfil their potential.”

What This Means for Delhi Cricket

Delhi has historically been one of India’s most prolific producers of international cricketers, yet the state team has endured inconsistent Ranji Trophy performances in recent seasons. Sharma’s appointment signals the DDCA’s intent to invest in structural talent development rather than reactive team management. Notably, his emphasis on transparent selection processes addresses a long-standing concern within the Delhi cricketing community. With Sharma now in place, the focus will be on whether this mentorship role is backed by adequate institutional support, facilities, and accountability mechanisms to deliver tangible results at the junior and state levels.