Tejasvi Dahiya is making waves in Indian cricket. At just 23 years old, this young wicketkeeper-batter from Delhi has earned the nickname ‘Delhi ka de Villiers’ for his explosive batting style, much like the famous AB de Villiers. He shines in tough situations, hitting big sixes and turning games around. His recent heroics in the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2025 have everyone talking. But will he finally get a spot in the IPL 2026? And which team might pick him?
Early Days: Learning at a Top Cricket Club
Tejasvi’s cricket story starts at the famous LB Shastri Club in Delhi. This club has produced big stars like Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli, who won World Cups for India. Tejasvi joined young and showed talent early. In Under-17 tournaments, he scored a match-winning 72 runs off 66 balls and was named Player of the Match.
He played a lot for the club in DDCA tournaments, which are local Delhi games in T20 and 40-over formats. He helped his team win many matches with consistent scoring. This strong base at LB Shastri built his skills and taught him to handle pressure from a young age.
Climbing the Ladder: From Juniors to Seniors
Tejasvi’s rise was based on hard work. He moved up from Delhi’s Under-23 team to the senior state side. Delhi cricket is very tough, with many good players fighting for spots. But Tejasvi stood out with his steady performances.
His big break came in domestic cricket. In the 2024 Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s top 50-over tournament, he made his List A debut for Delhi against Tripura. It was not planned – he replaced injured Anuj Rawat and learned he was playing only that morning!
Delhi was in trouble at 166 for 5 wickets. For a 22-year-old on debut, it was scary. But Tejasvi stayed calm. He said, “I just watched the ball and played, didn’t think about the debut.” He scored a brilliant 114 runs off 78 balls, with 9 fours and 6 sixes. He partnered with Sumit Mathur for 140 runs, helping Delhi reach over 300 and win by 64 runs. This showed his cool head in big moments – a key skill for a finisher.
Shining in DPL 2025: Stats That Wow
The 2025 Delhi Premier League was Tejasvi’s stage to shine. Playing for South Delhi Superstarz, he was a middle-order finisher and wicketkeeper. His stats were amazing for a T20 league.
In 10 matches, he played 10 innings, scored 339 runs, with a highest of 72. His average was 48.43, and strike rate (runs per 100 balls) was a super 190.45. He hit 4 fifties, over 31 fours, and 29 sixes. He was not out 3 times, showing he finishes games well.
Some key innings:
- 70* off 30 balls (strike rate 233.33) vs Outer Delhi Warriors: Chased 140 in 16 overs (rain-shortened). Needed 70 off last 6 overs, but he hit two sixes in the final over to win!
- 69 off 21 balls (328.57) vs Purani Delhi 6: Chased 134 in 7 overs, won with an over left.
- 72 off 38 balls (189.47) vs New Delhi Tigers: Built a strong total.
- 60 off 33 balls (181.82) vs West Delhi Lions: Quick and powerful.
These were not easy games – he turned losses into wins. His power comes from strong bottom-hand shots, pulling and hitting over mid-wicket. He is good against fast bowlers in death overs. As a keeper, he took 2 catches and 1 stumping in 10 T20s, proving he is reliable.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches | 10 |
| Innings | 10 |
| Not Outs | 3 |
| Runs | 339 |
| Highest Score | 72 |
| Average | 48.43 |
| Strike Rate | 190.45 |
| 50s | 4 |
| 4s | 31+ |
| 6s | 29+ |
His style is fearless like de Villiers – calm under pressure, dominating bowlers mentally. But he does not have fancy 360-degree shots; it’s more about power and smarts.
Mindset: Ambitious and Disciplined
Tejasvi’s interviews show a smart, driven player. He wants IPL badly: “Definitely, who doesn’t want to be picked?” He dreams of playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) or Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
He handles setbacks well. In Delhi setup, he waited behind Anuj Rawat: “Sometimes you’re in, sometimes out – that’s the game.” In nets, he punishes himself for mistakes, like push-ups if out, to stay sharp.
His idols are Virender Sehwag (fearless hitting) and Virat Kohli (smart chasing). DPL 2025 was like his IPL audition – showing finishers’ skills that teams need.
Note: He went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction (base price 30 lakhs), but his DPL form came after that, so it’s a fresh chance now.
Will He Join IPL 2026? And Which Team?
Yes, Tejasvi has a strong chance to join IPL 2026. The auction is coming in late 2025, and teams need Indian uncapped finishers and keepers. His DPL stats are elite – high strike rate with good average, plus keeping skills. He is rare: a local Indian who saves overseas slots.
Teams that might bid high:
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK): Need a long-term keeper after MS Dhoni. Tejasvi is a hard-hitter from North India, and he wants CSK. They are transitioning and have money.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): After Dinesh Karthik retired, they lack a finisher. Tejasvi fits perfectly, and it’s his other dream team. Big purse for bids.
- Punjab Kings (PBKS): Retained few players, have 110 crore purse. They will chase top domestic talent like him for a reboot.
- Gujarat Titans (GT): Need a good keeper for captain Shubman Gill. Healthy budget for a bidding war.
He could fetch multi-crore in a bidding war. His DPL was a launchpad – if he keeps form in domestic games till auction, he is in!
Conclusion: A Bright Future Ahead
Tejasvi Dahiya’s journey from LB Shastri Club to DPL star shows talent, hard work, and guts. At 23, he has the skills to be a T20 game-changer. Unsold in IPL 2025, but DPL 2025 changed everything. He will likely play IPL 2026. Watch out – ‘Delhi ka de Villiers’ is ready to conquer the big league!
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