Safe rather than spectacular, Vijay Dahiya kept wicket for India in two Tests and 19 ODIs in the 2000-01 season as the selectors tried a succession of wicketkeepers - he was one of five in a 16-month period. He made his Test debut against Zimbabwe on his home ground at the Feroze Shah Kotla. As a batsman he was not a clean hitter, nor the most elegant in his methods, but could get stuck into a few on occasion. A consistent performer on the domestic circuit, he was an integral part of the North Zone team that lifted the Duleep and Deodhar Trophies in 1999-2000 as also the Board President's XI which triumphed in the Wills Trophy. Dahiya, who made his first-class debut against Punjab at Ludhiana in 1993-94 as an opening batsman-wicketkeeper, was also for some time captain of Delhi. Post his retirement, he became Delhi's coach and led them to a Ranji Trophy triumph in 2007-08 season to end a 16-year title drought. He also plied his trade in the IPL, joining Kolkata Knight Riders as assistant coach for the third season.
Sankhya Krishnan (Feb 2008)