Ranji Trophy – The Hindu

Whilst assessing young cricketers, it is often said that the second season provides a truer measure of their ability. A breakthrough debut campaign is no mean feat, but it is when they are able to back it up with more success in the following year, against opponents with better plans on negating strengths and amplifying weaknesses, that their class shines through.

Delhi’s Ayush Doseja will soon be confronted with this challenge. The 23-year-old left-hand batter’s maiden First Class season was exemplary: he began with a double century on his Ranji Trophy debut against Hyderabad, racked up 949 runs in the competition along the way (second only to Karnataka batter R. Smaran’s tally of 950) and assumed the mantle of captaincy in Delhi’s final game against Mumbai.

Doseja’s exploits didn’t go unnoticed. He was part of a camp for emerging players at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru in May, and also participated in a tournament at the CoE recently that was aimed at honing the skills of these youngsters in the longer format.

“It is a huge confidence-booster to be picked in these emerging camps and tournaments at the CoE. I am growing every year as a player and person,” Doseja told The Hindu on Sunday.

During his stint at the CoE, Doseja had conversations with former India opener Wasim Jaffer on dealing with the challenges ahead. “Wasim sir worked on a couple of technical things. He also told me to keep my expectations in check, and keep doing what I’ve been doing. To score nearly 1000 runs is a dream season. He said that I cannot expect the same every season. I may score more or fewer than that, but as long as I give my best, it is fine,” Doseja revealed.

Prior to his red-ball commitments, Doseja will play for West Delhi Lions in the third season of the Delhi Premier League from July 31.