Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant Named in Delhi Probable Squad for Ranji Trophy 2024-25: The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has selected Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant as two of the 34 players chosen at the earliest stages of preparation for the upcoming Ranji Trophy Season 2024-25. As much as both the batsmen might become part of the probable, indications are that they might not be available for the start of the game due to other international tours.
Kohli’s last Ranji Trophy representing Delhi was in 2012 in a match against Uttar Pradesh. He is one of the top choices, not only as an international player but also for his country. So his presence in domestic fixtures seldom happens. The same can be said about Rishabh Pant. His last Ranji match, and that too with the red ball, happened before the COVID-19 lockdown.
The confirmation was made for their inclusion by explaining that DDCA official said it this way: “Here, it’s a process. They are DDCA-registered players, and we must include their names in the probables if they intend to play.”
Players missed and shortlisted in probables other than Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant
One name missing from this list of probables is experienced pacer Ishant Sharma. He has already communicated to the selectors that he is not interested in participating in the red-ball season. Ishant, a seasoned campaigner with over 100 Test matches in his own right. He might also seriously consider retirement given the fact he has been in supreme form in red-ball cricket. Nevertheless, it is not yet clear whether he might decide to come back for the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament.
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However, Ishant Sharma, who, as of now, has initiated himself from the selectors for not participating in the red-ball format tournament. He may be out of competitive cricket. The doubt about whether he still could be available to play in the forthcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 persists.
Mayank Yadav, the league’s prominent bowler known for his express pace, and the other promising prospect for the national team, Harshit Rana, have also been shortlisted in the probables. Mayank, who is recovering from an abdominal muscle tear, is currently undergoing rehabilitation for his fitness at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Most likely he will achieve normal fitness levels to be able to participate in the season as it progresses.
