In a dramatic move to distance itself from controversy, the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) is poised to relieve two prominent cricket administrators—Ashu Dani and Surinder Khanna—from their official roles. The decision comes in the wake of their deep involvement in the now-defunct Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL), a short-lived T20 league that collapsed amid serious allegations of financial mismanagement and non-payment to players and staff.
Ashu Dani, who served as Delhi’s junior selector and was also the president of IHPL, and Surinder Khanna, a respected former cricketer and current DDCA Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) member who acted as a mentor for the league, are now facing institutional consequences for their association with the tainted tournament.
The Rise and Fall of the Indian Heaven Premier League
Launched with fanfare earlier in 2025, the IHPL promised to be a grassroots platform for emerging talent across North India. However, the league’s operations quickly unraveled. Teams reported unpaid match fees, vendors went without compensation, and several franchises pulled out mid-season citing financial instability. The DDCA was not directly involved in organizing the IHPL, but the active participation of its officials raised serious questions about conflict of interest and oversight.
According to multiple DDCA sources, internal discussions had been underway for weeks, but the final trigger came after formal complaints from players and state associations highlighted the reputational damage to Delhi cricket.
Who Are Ashu Dani and Surinder Khanna?
Ashu Dani has been a long-standing figure in Delhi’s junior cricket ecosystem, known for identifying young talent. His dual role as both a selector and the head of a private league created an obvious ethical red flag, especially when IHPL began recruiting from the very circles he influenced as a selector.
Surinder Khanna, a veteran of Delhi and North Zone cricket in the 1980s, brought legacy and credibility to any initiative he backed. His role as IHPL “mentor” lent the league an air of legitimacy it may not have deserved—a move that now appears to have backfired both personally and institutionally.
| Official | Role in DDCA | Role in IHPL | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashu Dani | Delhi Junior Selector | President | Likely to be removed |
| Surinder Khanna | CAC Member | Mentor | Likely to be removed |
DDCA’s Damage Control Strategy
Facing growing scrutiny from the BCCI and public criticism on social media, the DDCA is taking swift disciplinary action to restore trust. A senior DDCA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated: “Individuals holding positions of responsibility must maintain the highest standards. Association with unsanctioned, financially irregular leagues is unacceptable.”
The board is also reportedly drafting a new code of conduct that will explicitly bar its officials from holding leadership roles in private, non-BCCI-affiliated tournaments without prior clearance.
What This Means for Delhi Cricket
This shake-up signals a shift toward stricter governance in one of India’s most influential state cricketing bodies. With the BCCI pushing for greater transparency across state associations, the DDCA’s move against Dani and Khanna may set a precedent for other associations grappling with similar conflicts.
For aspiring cricketers in Delhi, the hope is that this course correction will refocus energy on development—not dubious commercial ventures.
Sources
[INTERNAL_LINK:Regional], Times of India