Ranji: Ayush Doseja admits second-season blues after hitting season's first fifty

NEW DELHI: A dejected Ayush Doseja trudged back to the pavilion after being strangled down the leg side for 78, his long-awaited big score ending in an unfortunate dismissal. After a prolific 949-run season last year, the Delhi southpaw has endured a frustrating start to the 2026-27 domestic season, struggling to convert starts across the Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy. On Tuesday, he finally broke the run of missed opportunities, registering his highest score of the season, but the dismissal left him short of a much-needed century. The second-season blues can be a tricky phase for a cricketer. After a breakthrough year, expectations rise. For Doseja, the challenge this Ranji Trophy season has been less about a loss of form and more about converting promising starts into substantial scores. The first few innings did not quite go according to plan. Starts of 25, 30 and 40 runs kept coming, without the big score he was looking for. Unfortunate dismissals, including a run-out, added to the frustration. Doseja, however, insists that he did not allow the outside noise to become a source of pressure. “I wouldn't call it frustration. There was a little outside noise because I had scored 949 runs last year, and in the first four innings this season, I hadn't scored a single fifty. I was batting well against Bengal, though,” Doseja told reporters after Day 2 of the match between Delhi and Services at the Air Force Complex Ground in Palam. Delhi were 299 for 6 at the close of play, in reply to Services' 266 on the opening day. “I felt I had been batting really well in the matches before this, but I was getting out through unfortunate dismissals. Even today, I got out down the leg side. So, luck wasn't really on my side.” The breakthrough came with a patient innings that helped Delhi recover from a difficult position and move towards a better result. Doseja's approach was straightforward: avoid giving his wicket away and trust the game that had brought him success. “Today, I had decided that I would bat for a long time and wouldn't play any wrong shots. It went well. We were a little behind in the match, but now we have come back into a strong position. I'm really happy that we were able to take the team forward,” he said. For the 24-year-old, the second season has also brought a different kind of attention. His performances last year earned him opportunities in the Rest of India squad and the Duleep Trophy, putting him closer to the India A conversation. The expectations, naturally, have grown. But he does not see that as added pressure. “I think it's a privilege. I wouldn't say there is that much pressure,” he said. The southpaw believes the issue has been about translating his starts into bigger innings rather than struggling to find his rhythm. His immediate focus is on staying at the crease longer and allowing the runs to come. “I was getting starts in every match, scoring 25, 30 or 40 runs. In this match, I was thinking that I shouldn't get out because of my own mistake. If the bowler gets me out, that's fine,” he said. Doseja's dismissal, after spending considerable time at the crease, was another reminder of how quickly a promising innings can end. He admitted that missing out on a 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'll think about it a little today, but I'll forget it tomorrow because I played a good knock. I'll remember the good innings instead,” he said. "The most relieving thing is that we have secured three points." Doseja said facing Bengal in Delhi's first Ranji Trophy match of the season was a significant test, with their pace attack featuring Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar, all of whom have represented India. The Delhi southpaw felt Bengal's fast bowlers consistently hit 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've faced so far have been relatively normal,” he said. The experience has also reinforced his belief that the key to moving up the ladder is not simply scoring runs, but doing so consistently while maintaining an attacking style. Doseja had a couple of scores in the 40s and one half-century in the Duleep Trophy and had spent time working on his red-ball game at the BCCI's Centre 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 outside noise there is, I shouldn't listen to it too much because I have done so well. They told me to focus on myself. If I play ball by ball, then the kind of batting I am doing will allow me to dominate,” he said. The transition between formats is another challenge, with the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy approaching. Doseja believes his year-round preparation has equipped him to switch from red-ball cricket to T20, with the change largely coming down to intent. “There is just a change in intent when you switch to T20 cricket. So, only the intent will change. There isn't much time for preparation. What can you really 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 India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant for backing him during that phase. “Rishabh bhaiya appreciated my performances for Delhi and told me to keep learning. He said there was no problem if I didn't get an opportunity. There is a lot of cricket left for me,” Doseja said. Doseja is not setting targets for the season or putting a timeline on his India A ambitions. Instead, he wants to keep playing his natural game and trust that the bigger scores will follow. “I feel that I'm very grateful for whatever is happening right now. I can't question too much or think too much about it. But I know that when my day comes, I will score 200 or even 300. I have complete confidence in myself,” he said. "Style of batting matters a lot. Consistency is also important. You have to dominate. A lot of domestic batters play for 15-20 years without getting a chance for India. Some play for India after two or three years. The style of batting and dominating consistently is important. I am heading in that direction," he added. For now, the second-season blues are less a crisis than a test of patience. Doseja has the starts, the confidence and the backing of the management. The next step is turning those ingredients into the big innings that can take Delhi forward and strengthen his case for the next level.