Madan Lal ready forwards helping hand, ready to coach Delhi after horrendous start to Ranji season

Former India all-rounder and 1983 World Cup winner Madan Lal has come forward to help the struggling Delhi Ranji Trophy team after their shocking defeat to Jammu & Kashmir, their first-ever loss to the side in the tournament’s 65-year history. The 72-year-old, who represented Delhi for 18 seasons, expressed disappointment over the team’s current state and offered to help the team get back on track.

On Tuesday, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Jammu & Kashmir scripted history by defeating Delhi by seven wickets in an Elite Group D fixture. The loss came after a series of underwhelming performances, three draws and a list of internal issues that have affected the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) for years. Madan Lal, who has been a critic of Delhi’s cricket administration, took to the social media platform X to share his frustration. 

"If Delhi cricket need my help . I will be happy to do it for Delhi. I played for Delhi 18 seasons. I can’t see them going down," he wrote.

J&K record first-ever Ranji win over Delhi

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J&K record first-ever Ranji win over Delhi

Delhi placed sixth in Group D

Delhi’s loss to Jammu & Kashmir exposed concerns in both performance and planning. In the first innings, Delhi were bowled out for 211, with Ayush Badoni and Ayush Doseja scoring fifties before Auqib Nabi ran through the lineup with figures of 5 for 35. J&K replied with 310, guided by captain Paras Dogra’s 106 and Abdul Samad’s 85, taking a 99-run lead.

Though Simarjeet Singh claimed a five-wicket haul, Delhi’s second innings followed a familiar pattern. Despite being 244/3 at one point, they collapsed to 277 all out, with Vanshaj Sharma taking 6 for 68. Chasing 179, J&K opener Qamran Iqbal produced a match-winning 133 not out off 147 balls, guiding his team to a historic win.

The defeat has placed Delhi at sixth position in Group D, just above Puducherry and Himachal Pradesh. Many have questioned retaining Sarandeep Singh as head coach despite poor results. Meanwhile, Madan has a first-class record of 10,204 runs and 625 wickets.