Vijay Dahiya Back as Delhi Head Coach
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Vijay Dahiya is returning to a familiar role after being appointed head coach of the Delhi senior men’s cricket team for the 2026-27 domestic season.
The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) confirmed the changes on September 25 as part of a broader restructuring of its coaching, mentoring and selection setup ahead of Delhi’s upcoming domestic campaign. Dahiya replaces Sarandeep Singh, who coached the senior side for the previous two seasons.
Dahiya returns to the Delhi senior men's coaching role, having previously served the side across multiple domestic seasons.
Sarandeep-Led CAC Recommended Dahiya
One of the more interesting aspects of the appointment is Sarandeep Singh’s involvement in selecting his successor.
ESPNcricinfo reported that the DDCA Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), headed by Sarandeep, recommended Dahiya for the head-coach position.
That means Sarandeep moves out of the coaching role after two seasons but remains involved in Delhi cricket through the advisory structure.
The move comes as Delhi attempts to reorganise its senior cricket operation ahead of another demanding domestic calendar.
Dahiya Has Deep Roots in Delhi Cricket
Dahiya’s return is not simply the appointment of an experienced external coach.
He represented Delhi extensively during his playing career before going on to play international cricket for India. At the highest level, Dahiya appeared in two Tests and 19 ODIs for India.
His association with Delhi continued after retirement.
Dahiya was part of Delhi’s coaching setup when the team won the 2007-08 Ranji Trophy, ending a long wait for the domestic first-class title. He later served as Delhi’s chief coach, including during the 2015-16 period.
The DDCA also lists Dahiya among Delhi’s international cricketers and in its Hall of Fame.
Dahiya Brings Extensive IPL Coaching Experience
Dahiya’s coaching résumé extends well beyond Delhi cricket.
He has held roles with several Indian Premier League franchises, including Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants. Earlier in 2026, Gujarat Titans appointed him assistant coach ahead of the IPL season.
That experience means Dahiya returns to Delhi after working in both domestic and franchise environments, where coaching staffs increasingly combine player development with data-led preparation and specialised support roles.
His familiarity with Delhi cricket, however, is likely to be particularly relevant as the team works with a mixture of established domestic players and emerging talent.
Rajkumar Sharma Named State Mentor
Dahiya’s appointment is only one part of the DDCA’s changes for 2026-27.
Rajkumar Sharma, best known as Virat Kohli’s childhood coach, has been appointed State Mentor for Delhi’s men’s teams.
Sharma is a Dronacharya Award recipient and has a long association with Delhi cricket.
His State Mentor role is broader than Dahiya’s senior-team coaching position, giving Delhi an experienced figure overseeing the development structure across the men’s setup.
For the women’s teams, Sunita Sharma has been appointed State Mentor.
KP Bhaskar to Head Senior Selection Committee
The DDCA has also reshaped its senior selection structure.
Former Delhi cricketer and coach KP Bhaskar has been named chairman of the Senior Men’s Selection Committee.
Meanwhile, Kshitiz Sharma will continue as an assistant coach with the senior men’s team.
Former domestic batter Robin Bisht has been appointed chief coach of Delhi’s men’s Under-23 side. His support staff includes Mohan Chaturvedi, Rajinder Singh Chawla and Shashi Ranjan as assistant coaches.
Together, the appointments amount to a significant restructuring rather than a single change at the top of the senior side.
A Major Domestic Season Ahead
Dahiya takes charge during a packed 2026-27 Indian domestic season.
The BCCI has scheduled 1,788 matches across men's and women's competitions during the season. The Ranji Trophy Elite Group consists of 32 teams divided into four groups, with the competition continuing in its two-phase format.
Delhi will compete across the major senior competitions, including the Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy.
For Dahiya, the challenge will be to turn Delhi’s player resources into sustained performances across formats while operating within the DDCA’s newly reorganised coaching and selection structure.
His appointment also represents a return to familiar territory: a former Delhi wicketkeeper who has played international cricket, worked across the IPL and previously coached his home side is now back in charge for another domestic campaign.
Source
Primary sources: ESPNcricinfo and DDCA-related reporting on the September 25 coaching appointments, with additional verification from Times of India and the official DDCA website.
Additional context: The Indian Express for Dahiya’s India and coaching record, and BCCI for the 2026-27 domestic calendar.
