Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) secretary Ashok Sharma has confirmed that both Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant have been added to the probable squad for the last two rounds of the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25.
With the Ranji Trophy camp underway, the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) secretary has stressed that both Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant should play in the final round of the elite first-class tournament and cited the example of the Mumbai players, who always play. for his state team when available.
DDCA confirms Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant to be named in likely Delhi squad for last two rounds of Ranji Trophy 2024-25
Kohli is currently under fire for his string of poor performances, and even his place in the Test team is now under scrutiny following his dismal performance in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, where he scored just 190 runs against Australia.
Amidst heavy criticism, Ashok Sharma believes Virat Kohli should take inspiration from Mumbai players and play at least one match for Delhi in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25. The DDCA secretary also mentioned how Indian players in Delhi refused to respect domestic cricket over the years.
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Ashok Sharma was quoted by the Indian Express: “Kohli and Rishabh Pant’s names are in Delhi’s probable squad for the last two rounds of the Ranji Trophy match. Both Virat and Rishabh’s names are in the probable list. The Ranji Trophy camp is underway. “Virat should take inspiration from Mumbai cricketers and play for Delhi in domestic cricket whenever he is available.”
I don’t think they will play a single Ranji game: Ashok Sharma
The DDCA secretary admitted that he does not see Rishabh Pant and the former Indian captain appearing in Delhi in the final round of this Ranji season. He lamented that Delhi does not have a culture like Mumbai, where international stars play Ranji games whenever they are available.
Mr. Sharma further added, “Look, in Mumbai there has always been a culture where Indian players come to Ranji matches whenever they are available. It is lacking in the North, especially in Delhi. The BCCI has also mentioned that players should participate in domestic cricket. I feel like Virat and Rishabh should play at least one match, but I don’t think they will.”
Meanwhile, DDCA president Rohan Jaitley denied having contacted Virat Kohli for the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy games, saying that it is the selectors and the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) who would be in touch with the player, and they are the best. people to respond to these types of queries.
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Rohan Jaitely suggests Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant play domestic cricket
However, Rohan Jaitely said that Virat and Rishabh are fit and available, so they should feature for Delhi in the red-ball tournament, especially considering the fact that the duo had gone through a tough time on the tour of Australia, where India suffered a 1-3 Test series loss earlier this month.
Jaitely stated that “it is exceptionally important to participate in the national tournament. If one is on national service, obviously one cannot participate, but otherwise one should. Since the players are managed by the NCA and the national selectors, there are various things, depending on their load management etc. But they would keep domestic cricket on their priority list, which is exceptionally important.”