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Rishabh Pant is part of Delhi squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches

Delhi squad announced for Ranji Trophy matches without Virat Kohli

Rishabh Pant is part of Delhi squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches (Credits: BCCI/X)

The debate surrounding the lack of emphasis on domestic cricket and senior cricketers' participation in it has been ongoing for months. After India's humbling defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, which ended a near-decade-long dominance, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took stern measures to ensure senior players prioritize domestic cricket. This decision has led to some notable developments, including the inclusion of star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant in Delhi's squad for the upcoming season of the Ranji Trophy.

Pant’s participation in the prestigious tournament is a clear sign of the BCCI's push for senior players to contribute to their state teams. His inclusion brings a wealth of experience to Delhi, strengthening their lineup for the remainder of the Ranji Trophy season. On the other hand, senior player Virat Kohli was notably absent from the 21-member squad announced by the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) on January 18. Kohli has reportedly been struggling with injury concerns, which have led him to make himself unavailable for certain matches in the domestic circuit.

This move follows the confirmation from India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, that he will be playing for Mumbai against Jammu & Kashmir in the same competition. With the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 league stage resuming on January 23, these developments highlight the growing importance of domestic cricket for India’s senior players, as the BCCI looks to strengthen the domestic ecosystem and build better team readiness for international fixtures.

Both Rishabh Pant and  Virat Kohli were part of the Indian team during their recent tour Down Under, where India suffered a heavy defeat. In response to the loss, the Board of Control for Cricket in India introduced a 10-point policy, which includes mandatory participation in domestic cricket for senior players. According to this policy, playing domestic cricket will no longer be optional, and only in exceptional cases or for valid reasons can players be exempted. If a player chooses not to play in domestic competitions without providing a valid reason, they could face serious repercussions, including restrictions on national team selection and the potential termination of their central contracts.

For the upcoming Ranji Trophy, the Delhi squad was selected by the panel led by Gursharan Singh, with the team being chosen in preparation for matches against Saurashtra and Railways on January 23 and 30, respectively. Interestingly, Virat Kohli’s name was notably absent from the 21-player squad due to a reported neck injury he sustained during the Sydney Test. His injury has led to his unavailability for these fixtures, while Pant’s inclusion further emphasizes the BCCI’s push for senior players to contribute to domestic cricket.

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