In a major development, ace India batter Virat Kohli could be in line for a blockbuster return to domestic cricket. The former India captain has been named in Delhi’s probable squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2024-25.
According to an official DDCA release, another Team India star included in the list is wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant along with out-of-favour pacer Navdeep Saini. Veteran pacer Ishant Sharma, who featured in the Delhi squad last season, hasn’t been picked in the pool of 84 players.
“A fitness test for the selected players will take place on 26th September 2024. Players currently on international duty are exempt from this fitness test,” a DDCA release read while announcing the probables list.
This is the first time since 2018 that Kohli has been named in Delhi’s probable squad for the Ranji Trophy. Back then, the other notable names in the DDCA release were Ishant Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Gautam Gambhir, and Navdeep Saini.
Kohli’s last Ranji Trophy Game
It has been more than 11 years since Kohli last played domestic cricket in India. His last appearance in the Ranji Trophy came in the 2012-13 season in which he played one game for Delhi, against Uttar Pradesh, on the back of a very successful home series against New Zealand where he scored a century and two fifties.
Pant’s Ranji stint
The wicketkeeper-batter has represented Delhi in 17 Ranji Trophy games since making his debut in 2015. Pant made waves in the 2016-17 season, smashing the fastest century of the country’s premium red-ball domestic tournament. He scored a 48-ball hundred against Jharkhand in Thiruvananthapuram, shattering Naman’s Ojha record of a 69-ball ton against Karnataka in 2014-15.
The same year, Pant played his last Ranji Trophy – as Delhi captain in the final against Vidarbha. He managed 21 and 32 across innings. Vidarbha won the game by 9 wickets and lifted the trophy. Interestingly, Gambhir – the current India head coach – was part of Delhi’s playing XI and played under Pant’s leadership.
No Place for Ishant Sharma
A veteran of 100 Tests, Ishant Sharma hasn’t been included in the pool of 84 players. He was part of the main squad last season and also played a couple of matches, picking up 3 wickets at an average of 33.66.
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