Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant named in Delhi's probable squad

New Delhi: Premier batter Virat Kohli and the flamboyant Rishabh Pant have once again been named in a jumbo 84-member Delhi Ranji Trophy probables list although the duo is unlikely to be available for any of the red ball games throughout the season. However, veteran pacer Ishant Sharma’s name didn’t figure in the list which has the country’s fastest bowler Mayank Yadav along with another Team India contender Harshit Rana.

Kohli had last played Ranji Trophy for Delhi in 2012 at Ghaziabad against Uttar Pradesh while Pant last featured in a red ball game for Delhi in the pre-COVID era. “This is a protocol. They are our registered players and it is our duty to put their names in probables list in case they want to play,” a DDCA official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

In case of the 35-year-old 100 Test veteran Ishant, it is understood that there is no point in him playing Ranji Trophy since he no longer figures in national team’s scheme of things. Ishant didn’t play in inaugural Delhi Premier League (DPL) either but it will be interesting to note if he makes himself available for Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament which will be held just before the IPL auctions.