Simarjeet Singh credits Dhoni's 'stay present' mantra after DPL 2026 win
Synopsis
East Delhi Riders may have missed the DPL 2026 playoffs, but captain Simarjeet Singh signed off with a match-winning spell — and a rare glimpse into the mental coaching of MS Dhoni. His 'stay present' philosophy, credited directly to Dhoni, shaped the decisive penultimate over that sealed a 10-run win.
Key Takeaways
East Delhi Riders beat Purani Dilli 6 by 10 runs in a 10-over DPL 2026 match at Arun Jaitley Stadium on 26 August .
Captain Simarjeet Singh conceded just 5 runs in the penultimate over, proving decisive in the chase.
Suryansh Raina top-scored for East Delhi Riders with 42 off 19 balls ; the team posted 118/6 .
Simarjeet credited MS Dhoni's advice — 'stay present in the moment' — as his guide in pressure situations.
Purani Dilli 6 finished third on the table and will face Outer Delhi Warriors in the Eliminator .
East Delhi Riders captain Simarjeet Singh delivered a match-winning penultimate over to seal a 10-run victory over Purani Dilli 6 in the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2026 at Arun Jaitley Stadium on 26 August, closing out their season on a high despite missing the playoffs. After the match, Simarjeet revealed that advice from Indian cricket legend MS Dhoni on staying anchored in the present moment guides him through high-pressure overs.
Simarjeet on Dhoni's Lesson
'I use it every time. It's all about how to stay calm in pressure situations. As Dhoni bhai says, you have to be present in the moment where you are right now — not dwelling on the past or thinking too far into the future. Staying in the present is the most important thing for me,' the captain said after the game.
Simarjeet's penultimate over conceded just five runs, proving decisive in restricting Purani Dilli 6 to 108/6 in their 10 overs while chasing 119. His controlled bowling in the closing stages embodied the composure he attributes to Dhoni's counsel.
How East Delhi Riders Built the Target
Batting first in the shortened 10-over contest, East Delhi Riders posted 118/6. Suryansh Raina was the standout batter, smashing 42 off 19 balls, while Sujal Singh chipped in with a brisk 14 off 6. For Purani Dilli 6, Digvesh Rathi was the pick of the bowlers, returning impressive figures of 2/9 in his two overs.
How the Chase Unfolded
Purani Dilli 6 came out of the blocks hard, racing to 30 runs in the first two overs. Simarjeet broke the opening stand by dismissing Samarth Seth, and despite contributions from Aryan Gaur and Purani Dilli 6 skipper Anuj Rawat — who scored 15 off 9 — the required rate climbed beyond reach. Disciplined death bowling, led by Simarjeet, held the opposition to 108/6, handing East Delhi Riders a 10-run win.
Season Takeaways and What's Next
'A win is always a win, and the feeling is always fantastic. Even though we couldn't make it to the playoffs, finishing the tournament with a victory is very special for us. It keeps the team's morale high,' Simarjeet said. He added that the performances of his younger players under pressure gave him particular pride, and that the squad would carry fresh confidence into the domestic season and DPL's next edition.
Notably, despite the defeat, Purani Dilli 6 secured third place on the points table and will face Outer Delhi Warriors in the Eliminator. East Delhi Riders, meanwhile, exit the tournament but close their campaign with a morale-boosting result.
Point of View
Filling a gap that structured franchise mentorship programmes rarely cover. For a team that missed the playoffs, the real story out of this match is how East Delhi Riders used the final game to road-test young players under pressure, which has measurable value heading into the domestic season. The DPL format — rapid, high-stakes T10 cricket — is precisely the kind of environment where Dhoni's 'present-moment' philosophy is hardest to execute and most consequential when it works.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did MS Dhoni advise Simarjeet Singh about pressure situations?
According to Simarjeet, Dhoni's core lesson is to stay anchored in the present moment — not dwelling on past deliveries or worrying about future outcomes. Simarjeet said he applies this advice every time he bowls in high-pressure overs.
How did East Delhi Riders win their final DPL 2026 match?
East Delhi Riders posted 118/6 batting first in the 10-over match, then restricted Purani Dilli 6 to 108/6, winning by 10 runs. Captain Simarjeet Singh's penultimate over, which conceded only five runs, was the turning point.
Who were the top performers in the East Delhi Riders vs Purani Dilli 6 match?
Suryansh Raina top-scored for East Delhi Riders with 42 off 19 balls, while Digvesh Rathi was Purani Dilli 6's best bowler with 2/9 in two overs. Simarjeet Singh's death bowling was the decisive factor in the Riders' win.
Did Purani Dilli 6 qualify for the DPL 2026 playoffs despite the loss?
Yes. Purani Dilli 6 had already secured a playoff spot before this match and finished third on the points table. They will face Outer Delhi Warriors in the Eliminator.
What is the Delhi Premier League (DPL)?
The Delhi Premier League is a T20 franchise cricket tournament held in Delhi, featuring city-based teams competing at venues including Arun Jaitley Stadium. The 2026 edition featured a 10-over format for certain matches.
