DPL 2026: ‘Mayank Yadav gives invaluable motivation to the junior players,’ says Simarjeet Singh
New Delhi, Aug 22 (IANS) Captain Simarjeet Singh opened up about the team’s refreshed mindset and lethal bowling partnership with Mayank Yadav after East Delhi Riders delivered a disciplined all-round performance to secure a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Outer Delhi Warriors in their Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2026 clash on Friday.
“We just tried to give our best as players and return with a strong mentality. Rather than treating every game with extreme pressure or worrying about whether we were in or out of the tournament, we focused on playing good cricket and showing the coaching staff, management, and fans what we are capable of,” Simarjeet said after the match.
When asked if East Delhi Riders were aiming to play party poopers and disrupt the playoff chances of other teams, Simarjeet dismissed the idea, choosing instead to focus on long-term development.
“We aren’t thinking about other teams. We are focusing on our own game and learning for the future as cricketers. With domestic and state cricket coming up, we want to ensure we don’t repeat the mistakes we made earlier. The goal now is to perform well individually and finish the tournament on a strong note as a team,” he emphasised.
Simarjeet also showered praise on pace sensation Mayank Yadav, highlighting the immense value he brings to the squad both on and off the field.
“In my view, Mayank is the fastest bowler in India. It’s great to see how involved he is in Delhi cricket. He has fun, shares stories from his time with the Indian national team, and gives invaluable motivation to the junior players. Personally, I really enjoy bowling alongside him,” Simarjeet noted.
Elaborating on how the duo manages their bowling partnership during high-pressure match situations, the captain explained their ongoing tactical dialogue.
“We talk continuously during the match about who should push at a given time and what the best options are from either end. If I am bowling, we discuss what Mayank’s role should be, and vice versa. We stay closely aligned with the match situation to keep the game in our control,” he added.
Earlier in the match, East Delhi Riders’ pace attack proved lethal, rolling out Outer Delhi Warriors for a modest 134 in 19.1 overs. The Warriors struggled throughout, slipping to 68/7 before a fighting 36 off 33 balls from Harsh Tyagi provided some resistance. Mayank Yadav was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/22, while Ashish Meena (3/25) and Simarjeet Singh (2/20) provided excellent support.
Chasing 135, the Riders overcame early hiccups thanks to a composed, unbroken 71 run partnership between Kavya Gupta (48* off 32) and Vaibhav Baisla (32* off 23). The duo guided East Delhi Riders to a comfortable victory with plenty of balls to spare, completing a thoroughly clinical team effort.
–IANS
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