DPL 2026: Dev Chaudhary Dropped from New Delhi Tigers Playing XI Amid Selection Criticism
Dev Chaudhary was dropped from the New Delhi Tigers' playing XI for their 39th DPL 2026 match on August 24, where they lost by five wickets to South Delhi Superstarz. This decision intensified public criticism surrounding Chaudhary's controversial selection as an opener.
The New Delhi Tigers' woes deepened as they suffered a five-wicket loss to the South Delhi Superstarz in the 39th match of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2026 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Adding another layer to the team's ongoing narrative, Dev Chaudhary, whose selection has been a hot topic of debate, was left out of the playing XI. The Tigers, having won the toss and opted to bat first, managed a modest 168 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs. However, the Superstarz comfortably chased down the target, reaching 171 for 5 with nine balls to spare.Ā DPL 2026 Selection Controversy: Fans Question Dev Chaudhary's Inclusion in New Delhi Tigers Team.
New Delhi Tigers Fall to Superstarz in 39th DPL Encounter
The New Delhi Tigers' innings saw Lakshay Thareja emerge as the top scorer with a determined 62 runs off 47 deliveries. Towards the end, Naman Tiwari contributed a quickfire 10 off just 2 balls, and Revant Rakyan added a brisk 17 off 6 deliveries.
For the South Delhi Superstarz, Divansh Rawat was the pick of the bowlers, claiming four wickets for 25 runs from his two overs, while Ankit Dabas was economical, taking two wickets for 16 runs in his four overs. In response, South Delhi Superstarz built their chase on a strong foundation provided by Anmol Sharma, who scored an impactful 57 off 44 balls. Ekansh Dobalās unbeaten 38 off 18 deliveries and a quick 18 off 5 balls from Ankit Dabas sealed the victory. Anmol Sharma was named the Player of the Match for his crucial half-century.Ā DPL 2026: How Many Matches Has Dev Chaudhary Played for New Delhi Tigers?
Dev Chaudhary's Absence from the Playing XI
Dev Chaudhary, who has been at the centre of a significant selection controversy throughout DPL 2026, was not part of the New Delhi Tigers' playing XI for this critical encounter. His inclusion in the squad, particularly as an opening batsman, has faced intense online scrutiny and criticism from cricket fans and pundits alike.
The Persistent Selection Debate
Chaudhary has played two matches in the current DPL season, accumulating a total of 16 runs. His debut on August 16 against the South Delhi Superstarz saw him dismissed for a duck, while his second outing on August 19 against the West Delhi Lions yielded 16 runs off 24 balls.
Critics have consistently questioned his technical capabilities and suitability for a top-order role, citing his unorthodox batting stance and grip, which, despite drawing comparisons to Steve Smith, has not translated into similar on-field success. Furthermore, there is a noted scarcity of publicly available records detailing his participation in prominent local leagues or recognised state-level senior competitions. A 2021 Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) trial document reportedly identified Chaudhary as an all-rounder, focusing on a middle-order batting role and right-arm fast bowling at the Under-19 level, a background that many argue does not align with the demands of a franchise opener in a high-profile T20 league. These concerns have led to allegations of āpolitical or wealthy-family backingā and terms like āselection fraudā being used on social media.
Chaudhary's benching for the 39th match against the South Delhi Superstarz intensifies the spotlight on the New Delhi Tigers' management and their selection policies. As the DPL 2026 progresses, the scrutiny over player choices, particularly those sparking public debate, is expected to continue.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 25, 2026 01:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
