Virat Kohli's involvement in Delhi's Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra is still uncertain, but Rishabh Pant is expected to be named captain. The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) is set to hold a selection meeting and choose their team for the upcoming Ranji Trophy tournament, which will start in Rajkot on January 23, according to a report in TOI.
"A selection meeting will happen in the afternoon tomorrow and it’s likely that Rishabh Pant will be the skipper for the away game versus Saurashtra," a senior DDCA official was quoted as saying by TOI.
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Despite their involvement in the top domestic red-ball tournament being uncertain, Kohli and Pant were listed as Delhi's probables for the remaining Ranji Trophy matches. It was during the 2017–2018 season that Pant last participated in a Ranji Trophy match. Superstar Virat Kohli, who last played for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy in 2012, is unclear about his participation, though.
"Yes Pant has confirmed his availability for next Ranji game and will join the squad in Rajkot directly. 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 had told PTI.
Many people urge the current generation of players, particularly the struggling Rohit Sharma and Kohli, to play red-ball cricket. Former India veterans Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri are among them.
Although Rohit was practising with the Mumbai team on Tuesday generated a lot of curiosity, it is unclear if he would be available for the next Ranji Trophy matches starting on January 23. It is customary for the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) to identify its best players as probables, but their availability will determine whether or not they make the final team.