Tejas Baroka returns to Delhi circuit in style, eyes DPL and Delhi

Delhi's former junior leg-spinner Tejas Baroka made a return to the Delhi cricket circuit in style after getting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Puducherry.

He took his second successive four-wicket haul as he powered Rann Star Cricket Club to a five-wicket win over Tilak Nagar Colts in the 48th Lala Raghubir Singh Memorial Cricket Tournament underway at the Modern School Grounds.

Baroka returned with 4/31 in 5.2 overs on Tuesday days after picking 4/54 against Bright Cricket Club. "I tried to avoid the shorter boundary, made them play on the bigger side. I bowled the second over of the match, got the first wicket there itself. That gave me confidence. I kept things simple for the right-hander, bowled leg-spin. I bowled from one end (the pavilion end)," said the 29-year-old Baroka who dismissed top-scorer Jasvir Sehrawat caught behind with a googly.

"I am bowling really well, nowadays. The leg-spin is coming out well thanks to my height," said the six-feet-four-inch tall player. "I will try to play Delhi Premier League (DPL) and then represent Delhi in the domestic season," said the player who resides in Chanakyapuri and helped Madras Club become champions in Premier 1 division of DDCA League 2024-25 season with 27 wickets in nine matches. He is the highest wicket-taker in Premier 1 division.

He has a strong chance of making it to DPL because at the moment there is no experienced and tall leg-spinner like him. "The last year and a half has been tough. I was injured for 10 months and also suffered jaundice last year," he said.

"Luck hasn't been on my side, but hopefully it does this year."

Baroka's spell helped Rann Star dismiss Tilak Nagar for 215 in 33.2 overs.

The response from Rann Star to the low total was filled with fire.

Keshav Dalal, who is having a great season, having scored a century in the final of the Laxman Dass Memorial Cricket Tournament and also in the previous match here against Bright Cricket Club raced to 75 runs off 29 balls (6x4s, 7x6s).

The right-handed Dalal, a resident of Hauz Khas, was in imperious form as he hit four sixes over cover, then two sixes off the sweep shot and also one six off the pull shot.

Rann Star chased the 216-run target with five wickets and 20 overs to spare.

Tags : Tejas Baroka, DDCA, Lala Raghubir Memorial Hot Weather Cricket, Modern School, DPL, Rann Star