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Delhi cricket fans are in for a shake-up as Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant have been left out of the initial Ranji Trophy squad for the first two games. Though the duo was included in the 84-member probables list, the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) has chosen to rest the Indian stars, leaving them out for Delhi’s matches against Chhatisgarh and Tamil Nadu. With Delhi placed in Elite Group A alongside strong contenders like Tamil Nadu and Saurashtra, their campaign is already packed with challenges.
Kohli & Pant’s Expected Absence
It’s no surprise that Kohli and Pant won’t feature in these early matches. Kohli, who now only plays two formats, has been prioritizing rest after a monumental career that recently saw him cross the 27,000-run mark in international cricket. At 35 years of age, preserving his form and fitness is key. Delhi’s Ranji campaign begins on October 11, but Kohli is preparing for India’s upcoming Test series against New Zealand, set to kick off on October 16.
Similarly, Rishabh Pant, India’s star wicketkeeper, has been continuously on the field since his comeback in IPL 2024. Given his crucial role in India’s Test team, the BCCI has opted to rest him for the upcoming T20Is against Bangladesh. Pant’s omission, like Kohli’s, was a long time coming.
Simarjeet Singh’s Fitness in Question
While Kohli and Pant’s absence is understood, the spotlight now falls on Simarjeet Singh, who had an exceptional performance in the Delhi Premier League (DPL) T20 2024. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer bagged 18 wickets with a bowling strike rate of 12.00, helping his team secure the title under the leadership of Himmat Singh. However, his participation in the Ranji squad is contingent on his fitness clearance. Should he not be deemed fit, Divij Mehra will take his place.
No Place for Priyansh Arya
Another name missing from the squad is Priyansh Arya, a batting sensation from the DPL who wowed everyone by hitting six sixes in a single match. Despite accumulating 608 runs at an average of 67.5 and a stunning strike rate of 198.7, Arya has been left out, raising eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. With several talented batters already in the squad, competition for places is fierce.
Delhi’s Ranji Trophy campaign looks promising but will be even more intense without two of their biggest stars.
Delhi Ranji Squad for the First Two Games:
Himmat Singh (C), Ayush Badoni, Anuj Rawat (WK), Sanat Sangwan, Dhruv Kaushik, Yash Dhull, Jonty Sidhu, Mayank Rawat, Kshitiz Sharma, Pranav Rajuvanshi (WK), Sumit Mathur, Navdeep Saini, Himanshu Chauhan, Simarjeet Singh* / Divij Mehra, Hrithik Shokeen, Harsh Tyagi, Money Grewal, Shivank Vashisth
What do you think of Delhi’s chances without their star players? Let us know in the comments!
