Lakshay Thareja not picked in Delhi Premier League auction is a shocker

Lakshay Thareja, an accomplished wicketkeeper-batsman, has been ditched by the Delhi cricket fraternity as he was left unsold in the auction.

The 27-year-old was in a state of shock and did not speak to anyone for a day after the snub before coming to terms with it.

"I was surprised. I was sure I would get into one of the teams," said the former Delhi under-25 captain, who was the highest run-getter in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) League last season.

Those who have seen Thareja in action know his value. He can bat lower down, up the order, play improvised strokes, keep wickets very well and can also bowl. He is a perfect fit for all forms, and his multi-dimensionality makes him ideal for T20 format.

Life's ordeals have struck him. Because he lost his father, Thareja had to shoulder the responsibility of looking after the household quite early in life. It also meant that making a living would take priority over giving time to cricket. No more risks as financial security had to be the priority.

When the opportunity of a job with Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) arrived, he moved to Allahabad, leaving his hometown Delhi.

"I belong to Delhi, so obviously playing for Delhi is the priority. But I had to shift for work," he had said in an interview after being told about his eligibility for UP and Delhi.

It also meant that he couldn't take time off and play DDCA league cricket in the 2024-25 season.

Thareja aggregated 786 in eight innings at a humungous average of 786 in the 40-over DDCA League in the 2023-24 season. His strike rate was over 126, quite good for 40-over one-day tournament.

He was the captain of the Delhi under 25 team with a performance of 310 runs in three matches at an average of 103. He also scored 170 runs in four innings in DDCA T20 league 2023-24 season at an average of 85.

But just because he had to prioritise his family and shift base, he was forgotten and overlooked for the DPL auction! This is extremely unfair to the talent. He, at least, deserved a base price and an opportunity to show his talent to those watching cricket on television.

"I come to Delhi often on weekends to practice," says Thareja, who used to represent Rohtak Road Gymkhana, a top club.

Thareja isn't the only one.

Parampreet Singh's non-selection in DPL auction has left the DDCA League performances meaningless even though statistics were splashed on the screen for franchises.

The 28-year-old Parampreet had set the DDCA League on fire by scoring two double centuries this season. The batsman from Radhey Shyam Cricket Club, an Elite 2 Club, scored 225 against South Delhi Colts in DDCA Hot Weather game after scoring 271 not out in the DDCA Open League against Canara Bank. The 271 not out is just 14 runs short of 285 scored by Naman Wason, an all-time DDCA League record. He followed up his 225 with 150 off 76 balls against Three Star Club in another DDCA Hot Weather match.

There could be a point against him that he scored his runs in Elite 2 division, which is below Premier and Super Elite divisions, but two double centuries and a 150 -- including a double and 150 in Hot Weather where the cream participates -- are too big scores to ignore. He deserved at least a Rs 1 lakh base price pick.

Sumit Kumar, who represents Hind Cricket Club which is a Super Elite 1 club, is known to hit big sixes. He is big built and often hits the ball out of the grounds built on farmlands which play host to DDCA League games nowadays.

The left-handed batsman Sumit aggregated 408 runs in eight DDCA T20 League matches in 2023-24 season and 537 runs in 10 matches in the DDCA Open 40-over League 2024-25 season. It should be noted that performances in T20 League in 2023-24 season and 40-over league in 2024-25 season were the yardsticks for DPL auction. An aggregate of 1,000 runs and despite that, not even a Rs 1 lakh bid.

His Hind CC teammate Tarun Rajput took 20 wickets in 10 DDCA Open League 2024-25 games and scalped 10, including a hat-trick, in the DDCA Hot Weather League (both 40-over events). The left-arm spinner, who also occasionally opens batting for his club, too wasn't picked. The statistics displayed were also incomplete. They did not show his 300 runs in DDCA Open League and the 12 wickets in DDCA T20 League, showing only 20 wickets in Open League and 234 runs in T20 League.    

Batsman Agamjyot Singh has been scoring runs and not getting picked in Delhi age-group teams. The latest snub at the DPL auction where he had the base price of Rs 1 lakh upset him.

The 18-year-old batsman has been among the runs this season. He has aggregated over a 1,000 runs (1,039 runs) in DDCA Open League and Hot Weather matches. He has three centuries and seven fifties in 14 matches. He averaged over 108 in the DDCA Open League and 168.5 in the DDCA Hot Weather. He plays for Anand Sports which is part of Elite 2.

Divjot Singh, with 21 wickets, who has represented Delhi under-23; Gaurav Gautam, who has scored 790 runs; Vansh Anand, who has 708 runs; Vishal Rai, who has 38 wickets and Kunal Sangwan, who has 659 runs are the others who have been ignored despite performances.

There could be a view against some of them for performing only in lower division leagues but that needs to be clarified with statistics put on screen or points need to be given according to that to ensure the players don't feel short-changed especially when, according to certain coaches, some who have lacked performances have made it to teams. 

Tags : Delhi Premier League, DPL, Lakshay Thareja, cricket, DDCA auction, DDCA