Despite including Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant in the 84-member probable Delhi Ranji Trophy squad, the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) has naturally excluded the Indian duo from the first two Ranji Trophy games. On Wednesday, Delhi released the list of 18 players, selected for the first two fixtures against Chhatisgarh and Tamil Nadu.
Obviously no Kohli, Pant
It is not astonishing to know that both Kohli and Pant have been left out. Kohli, who is now only a two-format player, last played for his state side way back in the 2012-13 season. Recently surpassing the 27,000-run mark in international cricket, Kohli’s rest days have become even more critical at age 35. While he didn’t have a great two-match Test series against Bangladesh, India are slated to host New Zealand for three Tests, starting from October 16. Meanwhile, Delhi start their Ranji Trophy campaign on October 11. Hence, the omission was long-time coming.
And similar is the case with Rishabh Pant, who has been consistently on the cricket ground ever since his comeback in IPL 2024. His importance in the Indian Test team is second to none and that is why BCCI has rested him for the T20Is against Bangladesh.
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Simarjeet under scanner, no place for Priyansh Arya
Delhi’s 18-man squad is filled with talent and potential. However, one name that startled everyone during the recent Delhi Premier League (DPL) T20 2024 has missed out. Priyansh Arya, who hammered six sixes in one the matches, clubbed 608 runs at an immaculate strike rate of 198.7 and at an average of 67.5. However, he doesn’t find a place, with other batting talents in the squad.
Apart from this, CSK pacer Simarjeet Singh will be included only if he clears his fitness and not deemed unfit. Simarjeet had a superlative DPLT20 as well, striking 18 wickets at a bowling strike rate of 12.00. He ultimately won the DPL title under the leadership of Himmat Singh, who also captains Delhi in the Ranji Trophy.
Delhi Ranji Trophy squad (for first 2 games)
Himmat Singh(C), Ayush Badoni, Anuj Rawat(W.K), Sanat Sangwan, Dhruv Kaushik, Yash Dhull, Jonty Sidhu, Mayank Rawat, Kshitiz Sharma, Pranav Rajuvanshi (W.K), Sumit Mathur, Navdeep Saini, Himanshu Chauhan, Simarjeet Singh* / Divij Mehra, Hrithik Shokeen, Harsh Tyagi, Money Grewal, Shivank Vashisth
Note: * In the event that Simarjeet Singh is deemed unfit, Divij Mehra will accompany the team in his place. Any player who becomes unfit will not travel with the team or remain with them until receiving a fitness clearance from the Physio.
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