'The way our captain is playing has been fantastic': Mayank praises North Delhi Strikers skipper Sarthak
New Delhi, Aug 12
After North Delhi Strikers produced a strong all-round performance to beat West Delhi Lions by eight wickets in the Delhi Premier League, Mayank Dagar, who was the standout bowler for his side, lauded North Delhi skipper Sarthak Ranjan, who continued his fine run with the bat.
North Delhi Strikers produced a dominant performance to beat West Delhi Lions by eight wickets in the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Reflecting on the win, Mayank Dagar said, "It was a very dominant win for us. We restricted them with the ball and then finished the chase comfortably."
"Our combination is very good. Everyone knows their role, and that is the most important thing in a team. The coordination between all of us has been going really well. If you look at our batting, our middle order and lower middle order haven't even had a chance to bat yet. That is a very good sign because our top order is taking responsibility and performing," he added.
Praising captain Sarthak, he said, "Touch wood, the way our captain is playing has been fantastic. We have played a lot of cricket together, from Under-16 and Under-19 levels, so I have seen him grow as a player and as a person. He truly deserves this opportunity."
Dagar, who finished with impressive figures of 2-14 in four overs, also revealed the inspiration behind his special wicket celebration.
"It was actually inspired by Paul Pogba. When I first started watching football, I saw him doing that celebration, and I really liked it. So, I decided to do the same today."
Batting first, West Delhi Lions were restricted to 146/7 in their 20 overs after a disciplined bowling effort from the Strikers. The Lions made a steady start, adding 36 runs for the opening wicket, but the dismissal of Ankit Kumar for 10 off 10 balls triggered a collapse.
The Lions soon slipped to 59/5 as the Strikers continued to pick up wickets at regular intervals. Mayank Gusain and Sombir Sheokand then put together a 68-run partnership for the sixth wicket to help their team recover.
Sheokand scored 34 off 24 balls before being dismissed, while Gusain remained unbeaten on 42 off 28 balls to take the Lions to 146/7.
Dagar was the pick of the Strikers' bowlers, returning excellent figures of 2/14 from his four overs.
Chasing 147, North Delhi Strikers got off to a flying start. Captain Sarthak and Vaibhav Kandpal added 106 runs for the opening wicket, putting the chase firmly in control.
Ranjan scored a confident 57 off 30 balls before his dismissal, while Kandpal continued his attacking approach. He remained unbeaten on 64 off 43 balls and ensured the Strikers completed the chase without any further trouble.
North Delhi Strikers reached the target with eight wickets in hand, completing a convincing victory and continuing their strong run in the tournament.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Dagar's celebration inspired by Paul Pogba was fun to watch! It's nice to see players bringing in elements from other sports. More importantly, 106-run opening stand in a chase is exactly what you want from your top order. Sarthak's consistency shows why he's the captain.
Admirable win no doubt, but I wish our domestic tournaments got more media coverage. These boys are the future of Indian cricket - Dagar, Sarthak, Kandpal. The combination working well and middles order not needed is great, but teams should also give chances to the bench in such tournaments. Just a thought.
Impressive cricket all round from North Delhi. Sarthak Ranjan looks like a real talent - 57 off 30 in a chase is just the kind of aggression that sets the tone. Dagar's maturity with the ball at just 2/14 in 4 overs tells you everything about his control. The camaraderie between the two shows in their performances.
The best part for me was seeing the trust that Mayank has in his captain. Having played together since Under-16 days, that bond clearly translates on the field. Delhi Premier League is genuinely showcasing some serious young talent. Sarthak's form is a big plus for the tournament. क्या बात है! 👏
West Delhi Lions should have defended better after that 68-run partnership. But credit to North Delhi - they never let the required rate get out of hand. Sarthak is leading from the front, which is exactly what a captain should do. D
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