Rajkumar Sharma Named Delhi Cricket State Mentor to Guide Emerging Talent

The Dronacharya Award recipient will work with emerging cricketers across Delhi, bringing years of coaching experience and an understanding of the city's cricketing system to the new role.

Sharma's coaching association with Delhi cricket extends well beyond his work with Kohli. Over the years, he has worked with a number of young players and has been involved in developing talent at different levels of the game.

He recently served as coach of New Delhi Tigers during the third season of the Delhi Premier League, where his responsibilities included helping young players adapt to the demands of franchise-level cricket and identifying talent capable of progressing further.

Sharma has also been nominated by the DDCA as its male representative to the Apex Council of the Indian Cricketers' Association.

Speaking about his appointment, Sharma thanked DDCA president Rohan Jaitley for the opportunity and said he hoped to contribute to the next stage of Delhi cricket's development.

“I am honoured to take on this responsibility with the DDCA and grateful to President Rohan Jaitley for his trust. Having been closely associated with Delhi cricket for many years, I look forward to contributing to its next phase,” Sharma said.

He pointed to Delhi's long history of producing international cricketers, including Kohli, Gautam Gambhir, Ishant Sharma, Virender Sehwag, Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant, while stressing the need to develop the next generation from the grassroots.

“Delhi has immense talent and has given India some great players over the years,” Sharma said. He added that the focus should be on identifying and developing promising players with appropriate coaching, technology and facilities.

The new state mentor also said he wanted to make himself accessible to players across the system, regardless of gender or playing level.

“I want to be accessible to every player—boy or girl, from club to state level—who dreams of representing India and provide them with the right advice and mentorship,” he said.

Sharma also called for a stronger support structure around players, including transparent selection processes and assistance for cricketers who require financial or other forms of support during their development.

He said the objective should be to establish a clear pathway through which talented players can progress from club and grassroots cricket to representing Delhi and eventually India.

DDCA president Rohan Jaitley welcomed Sharma's appointment, highlighting his experience and long association with Delhi cricket.

“He has been closely associated with Delhi cricket and has played an important role in nurturing young talent. His experience and understanding of the game make him a valuable addition to our set-up,” Jaitley said.

DDCA vice-president Shikha Kumar also backed the appointment, saying Sharma's experience could strengthen the association's efforts to identify and develop young players.

“Rajkumar Sharma Ji brings immense experience and a deep understanding of Delhi cricket,” she said, adding that the association wanted to create clearer opportunities and support systems for aspiring male and female cricketers.

Sharma's appointment comes as the DDCA seeks to strengthen its grassroots development structure and create a more defined pathway for young players seeking to progress through Delhi's domestic cricket system.