Rishabh Pant to play in Ranji Trophy for Delhi, Harshit Rana unavailable due to IND vs ENG T20Is

The announcement is finally here. Indian superstar Rishabh Pant is set to be available for Delhi’s Ranji Trophy fixture against Saurashtra on January 23. While Virat Kohli is uncertain, Pant’s comeback in first-class cricket is a big statement. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been vocal about players prioritising playing domestic cricket when available. Earlier today, the troika of Pant, Virat Kohli, and Harshit Rana were named in the 41-man probable list of players for Delhi’s next round of Ranji Trophy fixtures.

Rishabh Pant to play Ranji Trophy after 7 years

After Delhi’s elimination from the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT), they prepare for the second leg of the Ranji Trophy. After winning just one out of five games, they are scheduled to play against Saurasthra and Railways on January 23 and January 30, respectively. But as far as the Saurashtra fixture is concerned, Pant has confirmed his availability.

“Rishabh Pant has confirmed that he will be available for selection for Delhi’s Ranji Trophy game against Saurashtra in Rajkot,” DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma told PTI.

It must be noted that Pant’s last Ranji Trophy fixture was the Ranji Trophy 2017/18 final against Vidarbha in Indore. Interestingly, India’s current head coach, Gautam Gambhir, also played in that game. Neither Gambhir nor Pant made any significant runs in that game.

No Harshit Rana as of yet!

As for Harshit Rana, his name was also in the probable list but the pacer won’t be able to play. The reason simply being the fact that he has been picked in India’s squad for five T20Is against England, a series that will overlap the Ranji Trophy.

About Virat Kohli we want him to play but we haven’t heard from him while Harshit Rana is selected in the T20 squad and hence is unavailable,” Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) secretary Ashok Sharma told PTI.

Rishabh Pant, who played in all five Tests against Australia, wasn’t selected in India’s T20I squad for the England series. However, he’s now set to play in the Ranji Trophy, joining other national team players who are returning to domestic cricket after the BCCI’s crackdown following the 3-1 series loss in Australia.

Shubman Gill will play for Punjab against Karnataka, while Yashasvi Jaiswal will turn out for Mumbai. Even Test captain Rohit Sharma has started training with Mumbai’s Ranji squad, showing the BCCI’s renewed focus on domestic cricket.