Yash Dhull, the captain who led India to a triumphant victory in the 2022 U-19 World Cup, has made a comeback to competitive cricket following a minor heart surgery. His coach of over a decade, Rajesh Nagar, revealed that the young batter underwent the procedure in the first half of July.
The surgery stemmed from a discovery made during a routine scan at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) while Dhull was participating in the U-23 high performance camp. A small hole in his heart, likely a birth defect, was detected.
“It was not a major surgery. He recovered in about 10 to 15 days. While he isn’t yet at 100% in terms of game and fitness, he’s around 80% and good enough,” Nagar shared on Wednesday.
Dhull, now playing for the Central Delhi Kings in the inaugural Delhi Premier League, has showcased his resilience. He has amassed 93 runs in five innings, striking at 113.41 with a highest score of 52.
At just 21, Dhull has already experienced the highs and lows of professional cricket. He was seen as a future star after his World Cup victory. He debuted in the Ranji Trophy in February 2022 and hit two centuries in his first-class debut against Tamil Nadu. He was later named captain of the Delhi team for the following Ranji Trophy season but was removed from the captaincy earlier this year after the team’s loss to Puducherry.
While Dhull has also played for India A, questions about his technique have kept him out of the selectors’ radar. He has also featured in four games for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, but has not yet been given enough opportunities to prove himself.
Despite the setbacks, Dhull’s return to cricket demonstrates his unwavering commitment and determination to succeed. With his impressive performance in the Delhi Premier League, he is showing that he is back in form and ready to make his mark on the cricketing world.
