Picture Credit: X

Picture Credit: X

Former India captain and batting stalwart Virat Kohli along with star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant have been named in Delhi’s probable squad for Ranji Trophy 2024-25. Notably, this decision by the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) comes after the Team India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir, along with the members of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reiterated on the importance play domestic cricket.

Moreover, the two senior Indian batters have found themselves in the squad after their dismal performance down under, during India’s tour of Australia for Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. While Virat Kohli could manage only 190 runs across the five Tests at an average of 23.75 with his only unbeaten century coming in the opening Test in Perth, whereas Rishabh Pant showcased positive glimpse during the Sydney Test, scoring 40 and 61-run knocks in the two innings respectively.

Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant named Delhi’s Ranji probables

According to sources, as quoted by India Today, the selectors haven’t spoken to Kohli nor has the Indian batter expressed his willingness to play Ranji Trophy, but the DDCA has preferred to name them in the squad. It is to be noted that Kohli last played a Ranji Trophy game in 2012, whereas Rishabh Pant’s last game came in 2017. Speaking after the squad announcement, DDCA Secretary, Ashok Sharma called upon the two to play domestic cricket tournaments, while adding that they should take inspiration from Mumbai players.

“Both Virat and Rishabh’s names are in the probable list. The Ranji Trophy camp is underway. The BCCI has also mentioned players should participate in domestic cricket. I feel Virat and Rishabh should play at least one game, but I don’t think they will,” Ashok Sharma told, as quoted by The Indian Express. Moreover, apart from Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant, Harshit Rana has also been named in the probables, who was last seen playing in the Adelaide Test after making his debut in Perth.

Delhi’s probable squad for Ranji Trophy 2024-25

Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Harshit Rana, Ayush Badoni, Sanat Sangwan, Gagan Vats, Yash Dhull, Anuj Rawat (wk), Jonty Sidhu, Siddhant Sharma, Himmat Singh, Navdeep Saini, Pranav Rajvanshi (wk), Sumit Mathur, Money Grewal, Shivam Sharma, Mayank Gussain, Vaibhav Kandpal, Himanshu Chauhan, Harsh Tyagi, Shivank Vashisth, Prince Yadav, Aayush Singh, Akhil Choudhary, Hrithik Shokeen, Lakshay Thareja (wk), Ayush Doseja, Arpit Rana, Vikas Solanki, Samarth Seth, Rounak Waghela, Anirudh Choudhary, Rahul Gahlot, Bhagwan Sing, Mayank Rawat, Tejasvi Dahiya (wk), Parteek, Rahul Dagar, Aryan Rana, Salil Malhotra, Jitesh Singh