Yash Dhull, the former India U19 captain, began the Delhi Premier League (DPL 2024) season as the Central Delhi Kings captain before handing over leadership to Jonty Sidhu. Dhull played as an Impact Player, switched batting positions, and rested during the team's fifth T20 league match.
Dhull has struggled a bit in the DPL 2024, as in 5 innings, he has managed 93 runs at an average of under 20 and a strike rate of 113.41. Even the commentators pointed out that the young gun seemed rusty and out of form.
And speaking about his struggles, Yash Dhull revealed that he is making a comeback after having heart surgery. The 21-year-old has had a difficult few months, as he was advised by the National Cricket Academy's medical experts to have heart surgery.
Dhull attended a program in Bengaluru a few months ago when the medical staff discovered an irregularity during a routine check-up. The diagnosis found a hole in Dhull's heart that required surgery, which he performed in Delhi.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) maintained a close eye on the boy during the period and stayed in touch even after he recovered.
“Kuch cheeze hui hai past mai… mai recover karke aaya hu. Thoda time lag raha hai but mai positive hu aur apne game ke liye 100% duga (certain things have happened in the past, and I have returned after a recovery. It’s taking time but I am positive and will give 100% for my game)," Dhull was quoted by News18.com.
“During the NCA check-up, the team, after consulting with the set of doctors, advised him to undergo surgery for the hole in his heart. He was attending a camp with the rest of the emerging players a couple of months back in Bengaluru," says Dhull’s childhood coach Pradeep Kochar.
“The NCA has given him the certificate of fitness, so there shouldn’t be an issue in any of the formats going forward. During the DPL, he took a rest from one of the games because the humidity was very high. Even going forward, there shouldn’t be any problem for him to play the Ranji Trophy and the longer formats," says Kochar.
Dhull’s father Vijay added that it was a condition by birth and he underwent a surgical procedure to fix the issue.
“It wasn’t anything serious. The hole in the heart was a condition from birth and the NCA team advised a minor surgical procedure. He underwent that in Delhi only and the BCCI continued to keep a check on him during the period," says Dhull’s father.
The youngster, who has been on national selectors’ radar, is getting better by the day. Dhull's DPL team is aware of his condition, and one of the support personnel is delighted to see the effort. There have been ups and downs – both cricket and fitness-wise – but Dhull’s drive has pleased those in the dugout.
“There have been ups and downs about cricket and fitness but he has put on a brave-hearted show. Most support staff joined the team after the player draft but now they are aware of his condition. It will take some time but he is taking the steps in the right direction. There have been occasions where he has been moody, and understandably so, but all in all, he has been very focused on returning to old ways. So there shouldn’t be a major roadblock there,” a member of the Central Delhi support staff said.
(News18 inputs)
