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A young Yash Dhull was touted as the next big thing of Indian cricket. After leading India to Under-19 World Cup 2022 triumph, sky was the limit for him. He was picked by Delhi Capitals (DC) and scored centuries on Ranji Trophy debut. But, the 21-year-old's career was brought to a screeching halt when he was told by the doctor about a 17mm hole in his heart. After undergoing heart surgery, he returned to action but had to withdraw from Delhi Premier League's (DPL) previous edition, owing to strain which he couldn't bear and hindered his performances.
In the ongoing edition, Dhull has put it all behind him, and is currently averages 95.50 from seven games. He has scored 382 runs from seven games at a strike rate of 171.30. He has two centuries and as many fifties in the season already.
After the DPL 2025, Dhull will return to red-ball cricket and represent North Zone in Duleep Trophy. A year after the heart surgery he opened about the struggles he faced and how the doctor warned him not to 'overdo things'.
"It was around the same time last year, June-July, but I can't remember properly because actually I don't want to," Dhull told ESPNcricinfo. "It was a really tough time. I didn't want to get the surgery done because of the DPL and the domestic season, which was to follow, but the doctor said I had no option. I was on bed rest for one entire month after the surgery.
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"Then I gradually tried to train but my body couldn't keep up. My blood pressure and heart rate would shoot up when I tried to run and I would be out of breath. The doctor told me anything could happen if blood pressure shot up, if I tried to overdo things. I was under heavy medication, which would make me drowsy. So I had to withdraw from the DPL and go back to my bed rest."
Dhull on satisfying ton vs Tamil Nadu
Dhull said that he had the self-belief that he will be able to make his comeback. The 22-year-old said that the century against Tamil Nadu was satisfying. He recalled how his family was scared about Dhull not overdoing things.
"I knew I was going to make a comeback," Dhull said. "I had the self-belief that not only would I return to action at the right time but also perform well. The century against Tamil Nadu was one of my best knocks because even my family was scared whether I had regained the stamina to play a long innings. I not only did well in a pressure match but batted the whole day against a strong side like Tamil Nadu. It was really satisfying.”
Dhull on emotional celebrations
Dhull’s celebrations are now more emotional as he had doubts over whether he will be able to play cricket again or not.
"That surgery was a kind of setback for me in my cricket career," Dhull said. "Sometimes I used to feel that I would never play again. So whenever I score a century now, the emotions come out on their own."
He will be back in red-ball action in Duleep Trophy's first-quarter-final against East Zone where he will face the likes of Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar.
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