Delhi Cricket Club: Searching for Talent

Cricket being the most popular sport in the country, there is no dearth of upcoming cricketers from a very young age. This more or less explains the reason behind the increasing number of academies in almost all major cities. Delhi is fast becoming the centre for cricket and has given many cricketers to the national side in recent years.

In this article, we talk about Delhi Cricket Club, one of the premier academies in Delhi based on our conversation with P.K Singh, Coach, Delhi Cricket Club.

About the Academy

Delhi Cricket Club was founded 7 years ago in search of cricket talent and providing cricket coaching to economically backward people as well. It currently has 8000 registered members out of which close to 4500 are active. About 20-25 boys play at least district every year.

Vision

Club’s objective is to search for cricket talent and produce professional cricketers. In order to eradicate poverty as a reason of not playing cricket, BPL players are given as much as 50% discount in the fees.

DCC only plays in BCCI registered tournaments. More emphasis is on practice and preparing teams for tournaments that come under the BCCI umbrella.

Training & Progress

DCC’s primary focus is on fitness. A typical training session includes warm-ups, running, sit-ups, push-ups etc. among other things. One typical feature which may be different from other academies is that there are daily nets for all at DCC. Bowling machines are also used for nets.

Within one year the target is to represent district level. If you play district cricket then you are counted in some level of cricket recognized by BCCI.

Age groups span from 8 years to 32 years though maximum proportion of students belong to the category of 19-25 age group. Academy is open seven days, even during tours and coaches are always available.

Video Analysis

DCC is already using video analysis technique and has been very effective according to Coach P.K Singh. “We have our own cameras. Students are also told to have their video recorded. They see themselves and also show coaches, and then we work out the problems. It is currently happening in Panchkula stadium branch.”

DCC Edge

Here the students are trained to become professionals. It is not like a closed park where they just come, play and go. A lot of focus is on improvement of technique and then practicing it. A coach is always there with the students. To give a chance is important whether the student plays from Delhi or any other state. Money is not the objective but training is.

Academy at a glance

Name: Delhi Cricket Club

Contact: 1800-3002-9299; www.delhicricketclub.in

Timings: 2:30 to 6 PM (Monday to Sunday)

Coach: P.K Singh

Total No. of coaches: 11 (Min. district level)

Members: 8000 registered all over India

Centres:

1. Siddharth Internnational School, Dilshad garden, Delhi
2. Panchkula, Haryana
3. Punjab
4. Ranchi, Jharkhand