Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) secretary Ashok Sharma has confirmed that both Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant have been added to the probable squad for the last two rounds of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy.
With the Ranji Trophy camp underway, the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) secretary stressed that both Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant should play in the final round of the elite first-class tournament, while citing the example of players from Mumbai who always plays for their state team when available.
DDCA confirms Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant named in probable Delhi squad for final two rounds of Ranji Trophy 2024-25
Kohli is currently under fire for his string of poor performances and even his place in the Test team is now under scrutiny following his dismal showing in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 where he scored just 190 runs against Australia.
Amid heavy criticism, Ashok Sharma feels that Virat Kohli should take inspiration from the Mumbai players and play at least one game for Delhi in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy. The DDCA secretary also mentioned that Delhi Indian players have refused to respect domestic cricket over the years.
Ashok Sharma was quoted by the Indian Express as saying, “Kohli and Rishabh Pant's names are in Delhi's likely squad for the last two rounds of the Ranji Trophy match. Both Virat's name and Rishabh's name are in the likely list. The Ranji Trophy camp is underway. Virat should take inspiration from the Mumbai cricketers and play for Delhi in domestic cricket whenever he is available.”
I don't think they will play even a single Ranji game: Ashok Sharma
The DDCA secretary admitted that he does not see Rishabh Pant and the former Indian captain turning up in Delhi in the final round of this Ranji season. He lamented that Delhi does not have a culture like Mumbai where international stars play Ranji games whenever they are available.
Mr. Sharma further added, “You see, in Mumbai, there has always been a culture where their Indian players turn up for Ranji matches whenever they are available. It is lacking in the north, especially in Delhi. The BCCI also mentioned that players should participate in domestic cricket. I feel Virat and Rishabh should play at least one game but I don't think they will.”
Meanwhile, DDCA president Rohan Jaitley has denied contacting Virat Kohli for the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy games, saying it is the selectors and the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) who would be in touch with the player and they are the most good ones people to answer such questions.
Rohan Jaitely suggests Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant to play domestic cricket
However, Rohan Jaitely said that Virat and Rishabh are both fit and available, so they must perform in Delhi for the red-ball tournament, especially with the duo enduring a tough spell in the tournament in Australia, where India suffered a 1-3 Test series loss earlier this month.
Jaitely said, “It is exceptionally important to participate in the domestic tournament. If he is in national service, he obviously cannot attend, but otherwise, he should. As players are managed by the NCA and national selectors, there are several things depending on their load management etc. But they would keep domestic cricket on their priority list, which is exceptionally important.”