Ranji Trophy: Delhi’s Ayush Doseja admits second season blues after hitting first fifty of season

Delhi’s Ayush Doseja plays the shot (PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: A dejected Ayush Doseja trudged back to the pavilion after being strangled by leg for 78, his long-awaited big score ending in an unfortunate dismissal. After a prolific 949-run season last year, the Delhi southpaw endured a frustrating start to the 2026-27 domestic season as he struggled to convert starts in the Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy. On Tuesday, he finally broke through with a string of unmissed opportunities and posted his highest score of the season, but missed out on a much-needed century due to the dismissal.The second season blues can be a tricky phase for a cricketer. After a landmark year, expectations are rising. For Doseja, the challenge this Ranji Trophy season has been less about losing form and more about turning promising starts into meaningful scores. The first few innings didn’t quite go as planned. Starts of 25, 30 and 40 runs kept coming, without the big score he was looking for. The frustration was compounded by an unfortunate dismissal, including a walkout.But Doseja insists that he did not allow outside noise to become a source of pressure.“I wouldn’t call it frustration. There was a bit of outside noise because I scored 949 runs last year and didn’t score a fifty in the first four innings this season. But I batted well against Bengal,” Doseja told reporters after the Day 2 match between Delhi and Services at the Air Force Complex Ground in Palam. Delhi were 299 for 6 at the close of play, in response to the opening day’s 266.“I felt I was batting really well in the matches before this one, but I was getting through unfortunate dismissals. Even today I got on my leg. So luck wasn’t on my side.”The breakthrough came with a patient innings that helped Delhi recover from a difficult position and move to a better result. Dosej’s approach was straightforward: avoid giving away his goal and trust the play that brought him success.“Today I decided to bat long and not play any bad shots. It went well. We were a bit behind in the match but now we are back in a strong position. I am really happy that we were able to take the team forward,” he said.For the 24-year-old, the second season also brought a different kind of attention. His performances last year earned him opportunities in the Rest of India team and the Duleep Trophy, bringing him closer to the India A conversation. Naturally, expectations rose. But he doesn’t see it as additional pressure.“I think it’s a privilege. I wouldn’t say there’s that much pressure,” he said.The southpaw believes the issue has been about translating his starts into bigger innings, rather than trying to find his rhythm. His immediate focus is to stay in the crease longer and allow runs.“I started every match, I scored 25, 30 or 40 runs. In this match I thought I shouldn’t get out because of my own mistake. If the bowler gets me out, that’s fine,” he said.Dosejo’s dismissal after spending considerable time at the crease was another reminder of how quickly a promising innings can end. He admitted the missed century was disappointing but refused to let the dismissal overshadow the contribution.“I believe in playing long innings in Test cricket sir. It was an unfortunate dismissal. I’m thinking about it a bit today but I’ll forget about it tomorrow because I played a good knock. I’ll remember the good innings instead,” he said.“The most reassuring thing for me is that we secured the three points.”Doseja said the encounter with Bengal in the first game of the Ranji Trophy season in Delhi was a significant test, with Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar, all of whom have represented India, representing their pace attack. The Delhi southpaw felt that the Bengal fast bowlers kept hitting the right areas, leaving little room for easy scoring.“Playing against that bowling attack gave me confidence. 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 have faced so far have been relatively normal,” he said.The experience also reinforced his belief that the key to moving up the ladder is not just to score runs, but to do so consistently while maintaining an attacking style.Doseja had several scores in the 40s and one half-century in the Duleep Trophy and spent time working on his red-ball game at the BCCI’s Center of Excellence (CoE). He said batting coaches Wasim Jaffer and Hrishikesh Kanitkar helped him focus on his own game and ignore distractions.“They told me that whatever noise is out there, I shouldn’t listen to it too much because I did so well. They told me to focus on myself. If I play ball after ball, then the kind of batting I do will allow me to dominate,” he said.Switching between formats is another challenge, with the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy coming up. Doseja believes his year-long preparation has equipped him to make the transition from red-ball cricket to T20s, with the change largely one of intent.“When you go to T20 cricket, there’s only a change of intent. So only the intent changes. There’s not much time to prepare. What can you actually do in seven or eight days?” he said.Doseja said he did not dwell on missing out on opportunities, including his selection in the Rest of India squad after his first Ranji Trophy season. He considered the selection a privilege and credited senior Indian batsman Rishabh Pant for supporting him at this stage.“Rishabh bhaiya appreciated my performances for Delhi and told me to keep learning. He said there is no problem if I don’t get an opportunity. I have a lot of cricket left,” said Doseja.Doseja is not setting goals for the season or setting a timetable for his India A ambitions. Instead, he wants to keep playing his natural game and trust that bigger scores will follow.“I feel like I’m very grateful for whatever is happening right now. I can’t doubt it too much or think too much about it. But I know when my day comes I’ll score 200 or even 300 points. I have complete confidence in myself,” he said.“A lot depends on batting style. Consistency is also important. You have to dominate. A lot of domestic batsmen play for 15-20 years without getting a chance for India. Some play for India after two or three years. Batting style and consistent dominance is important. That’s the direction I’m heading,” he added.So far, the second season blues are less of a crisis than a test of patience. Doseja has starts, confidence and management support. The next step is to convert these ingredients into big innings that can take Delhi forward and strengthen its case for the next level.