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India wickketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has followed in Virat Kohli's footsteps and has confirmed his availability for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. According to a report by ANI, Pant has committed to Delhi's squad for the domestic tournament that is set to begin from December 24.
Notably, Pant's last appearance for Delhi's List-A team came in 2018. He has been absent from the format for almost eight years now and will be looking to impress in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Delhi's opening clash in the tournament will be against Andhra Pradesh on December 24. The team will be strengthened massively in the batting department if both Kohli and Pant go on to feature for them.
Pant is yet to make an ODI appearance for India since August, 2024 so it will be interesting to see how he performs for Delhi in the competition.The wicketkeeper-batter has only featured regularly for the Men in Blue in Test cricket and has been absent from white-ball cricket for the most part.
Kohli to make long-awaited return for Delhi?
On the other hand, Kohli hasn't played one-day cricket for Delhi since the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy in September 2013. The last time he took part in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was back in the 2009-10 season, and he captained Delhi in the edition. He played 13 matches for Delhi in the tournament between 2008 and 2010, scoring 819 runs at an average of 68.25, including four centuries and three fifties. His last appearance for the Delhi team came in the Ranji Trophy earlier this year in January when he featured in a match against Railways at the Arun Jaitley stadium.
Rohit to also play for Mumbai?
The BCCI made it compulsary for contracted players to participate in domestic tournaments unless they are injured or on national duty after India's 3-1 defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar series 2024/25. This may also see Rohit play for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy as after the conclusion of the ODI series against South Africa, India's next one-day assignment will be held in January.
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