Virat Kohli on the left and Rishabh Pant on the right. (FILE photo)
Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant have been included in the 84-member Delhi Ranji Trophy probable list, while senior pacer Ishant Sharma has opted out from the red-ball competition.
Kohli last played in the Ranji Trophy for Delhi in 2012, while Pant featured once in 2019.
“This is a standard procedure. Virat is a registered player for Delhi and it is not the first time his name has been included in the probable list. Same goes for Rishabh,” chief selector Gursharan Singh told The Indian Express.
It is highly unlikely that Kohli and Pant will be available for any of Delhi’s Ranji Trophy matches.
Delhi will open their campaign against Chhattisgarh on October 11 in Raipur.
Curtains for Ishant
Meanwhile, Ishant, who played a couple of games in the last Ranji season has opted out from the red-ball tournament.
Ishant Sharma has 311 wickets from 105 Tests. (Source: File Photo)
Ishant didn’t play in the inaugural Delhi Premier League (DPL) but is likely to make himself available for the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament which will be held just before the IPL auctions.
“Ishant has made it clear that he is not available for the red-ball matches, but might turn up for the white-ball tournaments Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy,” said a DDCA official.
Mayank targets Ranji opener
Delhi speedster Mayank Yadav, who has impressed everyone with his lightning pace in the IPL has also been included in the probable and is likely to play for Delhi in the first couple of matches.
It has been more than four months since he played any competitive cricket. He was not picked for any of the four Duleep Trophy squads and even pulled out of the inaugural Delhi Premier League (DPL).
Mayank’s mentor and former Delhi U-19 coach Narender Negi said the bowler is getting closer to regaining full fitness.
“Mayank is bowling 15 overs per day every day at the nets in NCA and he is targeting Delhi’s first Ranji Trophy match as his comeback,” said Negi.
