DDCA Honors World Cup Champions at National Convention
Celebrating Cricket Excellence
New Delhi, March 17: The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) celebrated India's World Cup champions, Pratika Rawal and Udhav Mohan, during the National Convention of the Sports Journalists Federation of India, organized by the Delhi Sports Journalists Association on Monday.
This recognition event was part of the Golden Jubilee festivities of the SJFI convention, which brought together administrators, journalists, and athletes to honor achievements in Indian sports. During the ceremony, DDCA awarded Rawal, a key player in India's historic women's ODI World Cup victory in 2025, a cash prize of Rs 51 lakh. Meanwhile, Mohan, who contributed to the Under-19 World Cup triumph, received Rs 11 lakh for his accomplishments with the junior national team.
DDCA President Rohan Jaitley expressed, "Recognizing players who have emerged from the Delhi system and represented the country is always special. Such achievements inspire many young cricketers who aspire to follow in their footsteps. We believe that acknowledgment and encouragement are crucial for nurturing the next generation of talent."
Rawal reflected on the honor, stating, "Being recognized on such a significant platform, especially by the DDCA and Rohan sir, is a privilege. I have played extensively for Delhi, and this moment will remain with me forever."
She further emphasized the importance of recognition for young players, saying, "When you excel, recognition naturally follows, creating a cycle of motivation. This acknowledgment encourages you to strive for even better performance, which I believe will inspire many young talents, both girls and boys, entering the system."
In the World Cup, Pratika was one of India's standout batters, scoring 308 runs in six innings with an impressive average of 51.33, including a century and a fifty, although she was sidelined due to an ankle injury during the final league match against Bangladesh.
Mohan, on the other hand, viewed the recognition as a pivotal moment early in his career. The young cricketer, who was part of the 2025/26 Under-19 World Cup-winning team, trains at the West Delhi Cricket Academy under the esteemed coach Rajkumar Sharma, who also mentored cricket legend Virat Kohli.
"I am grateful to the DDCA for this motivation. Knowing that our association supports us drives us to excel further. It inspires me to improve, play better cricket, and make my state and country proud. Every cricketer aims to grow, and we have access to excellent facilities and training opportunities here," Mohan stated.
Reflecting on his journey, he added, "I have always represented Delhi, starting from the Under-16 team and progressing through Under-16 and Under-19 cricket before joining the India Under-19 World Cup squad. Delhi's robust selection system ensures that players consistently prove themselves, bringing forth the best talent."
During the Under-19 World Cup, Udhav played one match, taking 3 wickets for 20 runs against Zimbabwe in a 6.4-over spell. He has claimed seven wickets in three youth ODIs at an average of 10.00.
As part of the convention's sporting events, the North Zone team won the JK Bose Inter Zonal T20 Cricket Trophy. Jaitley announced a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh for the North Zone team during the ceremony.
Jaitley also highlighted the significance of the balance between cricket administration and journalistic feedback, stating, "Whether through criticism or praise, it helps both administrators and players identify areas for improvement, which is vital for the growth of the game."
He also discussed future plans for cricket infrastructure in the capital, revealing that the association is working on developing another international stadium in Delhi, focusing on accessibility for all individuals.
"We aim to create an international stadium that is accessible to everyone, including those with mobility challenges, speech or vision impairments, and sensory sensitivities, ensuring that cricket can be enjoyed by all," he concluded.