NEW DELHI – A dejected Ayush Doseja trudged back to the pavilion at the Air Force Complex Ground in Palam on Tuesday, his bat tucked under his arm and a sense of “what could have been” etched on his face. After being strangled down the leg side for 78, the Delhi southpaw’s innings—a promising, patient anchor for his team—came to an abrupt and unfortunate end.
For a player who set the domestic circuit ablaze with a staggering 949-run campaign last year, the current season has been defined by a different, more psychological hurdle: the dreaded “second-season blues.” However, as Doseja walked off the pitch with Delhi sitting at a commanding 299 for 6 in response to Services’ 266, he appeared less concerned with the statistics and more focused on the resurgence of his rhythm.
Breaking the Cycle of ‘Starts’
The narrative surrounding Doseja this term has been one of frustration. Following a breakout year that earned him a spot in the Rest of India squad and the Duleep Trophy, the 24-year-old found himself consistently trapped in the “30-to-40 run” loop. While his form wasn’t technically absent—he was striking the ball with his trademark fluidity—the substantial scores that defined his breakthrough year remained elusive, often thwarted by narrow margins or sheer misfortune, including a notable run-out earlier in the campaign.
“I wouldn’t call it frustration,” Doseja clarified to reporters following the day’s play. “There was a little outside noise because I had scored 949 runs last year, and in the first four innings this season, I hadn’t scored a single fifty. I was batting well against Bengal, though. I felt I had been batting really well in the matches before this, but I was getting out through unfortunate dismissals. Even today, I got out down the leg side. So, luck wasn’t really on my side.”
The Blueprint for Consistency
Doseja’s performance against Services serves as a masterclass in mental discipline. Admitting that he had made a conscious decision to curb his aggressive instincts in favor of long-format patience, the left-hander opted for a gritty approach to steer Delhi out of danger.
“Today, I had decided that I would bat for a long time and wouldn’t play any wrong shots,” he explained. “We were a little behind in the match, but now we have come back into a strong position. I’m really happy that we were able to take the team forward.”
His development has been bolstered by time spent at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE), where he worked closely with seasoned mentors Wasim Jaffer and Hrishikesh Kanitkar. According to Doseja, the coaching duo provided the necessary perspective to navigate the pressures of expectation.
“They told me that whatever outside noise there is, I shouldn’t listen to it too much because I have done so well,” Doseja said. “They told me to focus on myself. If I play ball by ball, then the kind of batting I am doing will allow me to dominate.”
Testing His Mettle Against the Elite
Reflecting on his progression, Doseja highlighted the season’s opening clash against Bengal as a pivotal moment. Facing an elite pace battery featuring the likes of Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep, and Mukesh Kumar provided a baptism of fire that has left him unfazed by other domestic attacks.
“Playing against that bowling attack gave me confidence,” he noted. “I don’t think there is any other bowling attack in India quite like Bengal’s. After facing them, I feel the other bowling attacks I’ve faced so far have been relatively normal.”
Mentorship and the Road Ahead
Despite the looming shadow of higher aspirations—specifically the India A setup—Doseja remains remarkably grounded. He credits senior pro and Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant for keeping him focused during the lean spells.
“Rishabh bhaiya appreciated my performances for Delhi and told me to keep learning,” Doseja revealed. “He said there was no problem if I didn’t get an opportunity immediately. There is a lot of cricket left for me.”
As the domestic calendar prepares for a pivot to the white-ball intensity of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Doseja is not dwelling on the lack of preparation time. For him, the transition is purely a matter of “intent.”
He isn’t setting arbitrary targets or rushing his timeline to the national team. Instead, he views his current phase as a maturation of his craft, where the style of play and the ability to dominate matter more than the accumulation of numbers.
“I feel that I’m very grateful for whatever is happening right now,” Doseja concluded. “I know that when my day comes, I will score 200 or even 300. I have complete confidence in myself. I am heading in that direction.”
With three points secured and his confidence restored, the “blues” appear to be fading for the Delhi youngster. If Tuesday’s 78-run knock is any indication, the big scores are not just a possibility—they are an inevitability.
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