Who is Dev Chaudhary? The son of a businessman who's getting flak for amateur batting in DPL 2026

Dev Chaudhary has become one of the most talked-about names in this year's Delhi Premier League, though not for the reasons any young cricketer would hope for.

His position at the top of New Delhi Tigers' batting order has come under the scanner following a duck against South Delhi Superstarz on August 16.

Cricket fans have focussed heavily on Chaudhary's experience, his technique, and the decision to trust him with a powerplay opening role in a high-profile city tournament.

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His batting stance has drawn particular attention, with some comparing elements of it to former Australia captain Steve Smith, another player known for an unorthodox setup at the crease.

But unlike Smith, whose unconventional style is backed by years of elite performance, critics have questioned whether Chaudhary has shown enough at the senior level to justify opening the innings in a tournament of this profile.

According to a report in Free Press Journal , a DDCA trial document from 2021 lists him as an Under-19 all-rounder who specialises in middle-order batting and right-arm fast bowling.

However, those roles look quite different from the opening batter position he now occupies for New Delhi Tigers. That document, however, doesn't establish any real senior-level competitive history, which has only fuelled further questions about how he ended up in this spot.

@93Yorker shared a video and wrote: "This fraud Dev Chaudhary can't even hold bat properly but he is still playing in Delhi premier league 😭🤣 - look at the non striker reaction 😂😭."

Some fans have gone further, alleging political connections or family wealth played a role in his selection.

@CricketElysium wrote, "He Is Dev Chaudhry son of a big businessman in Delhi. Just look at his running and catching technique here. He doesn't even seem to know how to run properly, yet he is selected and playing in the Delhi Premier League. Meanwhile, so many genuinely talented players go to waste simply because they never get the opportunities they deserve."

User @Vipintiwari952 raised similar doubts, pointing to the lack of a clear domestic playing history. "Is there a fraud going on in the Delhi Premier League? Meet Dev Chaudhary, born 14 May 2004. He barely looks like he can hold a bat, it looks like school-kid batting. No proper stance, can't bat, but still comes in the top order. He doesn't seem to have played any proper domestic cricket. There is just an old DDCA U-19 trial document that lists a Dev Chaudhary as an all-rounder. So if he hasn't played domestic cricket, how is he featuring in the DPL?"

Interestingly, not all the backlash has been aimed squarely at Chaudhary himself. Cricket handle @MentionCricket noted that questions were also raised over how he made it into the DPL despite reportedly not appearing in the DDCA T20 League.

He wrote: "Questions raised over Dev Chaudhary's selection in the Delhi Premier League. His batting performance against a left-arm spinner, including five consecutive defensive dot balls in the powerplay, has sparked debate over whether he was ready for the level.

"Questions were also raised over how he reached the DPL despite his name reportedly not appearing in the DDCA T20 League, 40-over league or auction list. However, the criticism was directed at the selection process, not the player himself. The mistake lies with the selectors and the team for handing out chances at such a major platform."

Journalist @captainshanky echoed a similar sentiment, writing, "Cases like Dev Chaudhry are exactly why I'm not a big fan of these state-run T20 leagues. Sure, they've opened avenues for some talented players to make a mark in the IPL, but there's so much muck that needs cleaning."

How has Dev Chaudhary responded to the criticism?

When asked directly about the controversy surrounding his selection, Chaudhary declined to engage with the question, simply saying, "I want to skip the question."

He was more forthcoming, though, when asked about his unusual batting technique, and defended his natural style in an interview with Unfiltered Cricket Launda.

"It doesn't matter how you hold the bat; I've always held it the way I do, and it has always worked for me," he said.