Dehradun Warriors’ Coach Manish Jha reveals about the ‘X-factor’ of the team News24 –
Exclusive Interview: Over the past few years, Uttarakhand’s presence in domestic cricket has seen a significant transformation. Once considered an emerging side in the Indian domestic circuit, the team has now steadily grown in stature – thanks to a blend of youth, experience, and a strong sense of direction.
Coached by a passionate leader who also helms the Dehradun Warriors, the Uttarakhand Ranji team is beginning to turn heads, not just with individual brilliance but with collective resilience. The progress is evident in the consistent performances from players like Akash Madhwal – who’s already made waves in the IPL – alongside rising names such as Rajan Kumar and Yuvraj Chaudhary. These players have not only brought attention to Uttarakhand cricket but have also become role models for the state’s budding cricketers.
When Aditya Tiwari of News24 asked to name the biggest X-factor for the team this season, Dehradun Warriors’ coach Manish Jha revealed that:
“For my team, we have Yuvraj Choudhary and Devendra Bora, who performed well last season. He also attended the India Under-23 camp. Sanskar Rawat, who performed very well last season. We have Naveen Singh, who has been a net bowler for Rajasthan Royals for the last two seasons. We have four to five such players who are in and out of big stages. In such a situation, we want these players to share their experience with the younger players and help the team out of difficult situations whenever needed.”
To Read Full Interview: Exclusive: देहरादून वॉरियर्स के कोच मनीष झा ने बताया कौन होगा टीम का एक्स फैक्टर? प्लेइंग 11 पर भी दिया जवाब
It’s clear that the team isn’t built around one superstar but is thriving on a core group of multi-dimensional players, many of whom are quietly building their reputations in the shadows of larger stages. Take Sanskar Rawat for instance – his consistency with the bat last season added much-needed stability to the middle order. Devendra Bora’s presence and his experience at the Under-23 India camp further inject maturity into the squad. Then there’s Naveen Singh, whose two seasons as a net bowler with Rajasthan Royals speak volumes about the kind of exposure and learning that filters back into the state side.
With such a balanced squad and a grounded, forward-thinking coaching approach, Dehradun Warriors is in safe hands. The road ahead is long, but the signs are encouraging. If things continue in this direction, don’t be surprised if more players from the hills start making waves across national and international platforms.
Dehradun Warriors Squad
Yuvraj Choudhary (Icon), Sanskar Rawat, Devendra Bora, Mayank Mishra, Aanjaneya Suryavanshi, Harsh Rana, Sagar Rawat, Aditya Rawat, Rakshit Rohi, Aditya Naithani, Samarath Semwal, Ritik Duhoon, Yogesh Kandpal, Shivam Gupta, Pranjal Singh Raikwal, Shaurya Pratap Singh, Harshit Paliwal, Naveen Kumar Singh