In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25, Virat Kohli and other Indian hitters had a terrible performance. They struggled to tackle the spin in the Test series against New Zealand, demonstrating the batting letdown. Former Indian cricket players and a number of critics later accused the players of neglecting domestic cricket, attributing their Test downturn to their lack of participation in the Ranji Trophy.
For those who are unaware, the Ranji Trophy 2024–25 second round is scheduled to start the final week of January. Ashok Sharma, the secretary of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), has verified that Delhi natives Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli are on the probable list. In 2012, Kohli made his final appearance for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy.
“The probable list includes the names of both Virat and Rishabh. The camp for the Ranji Trophy has begun. Virat ought to play domestic cricket for Delhi whenever he can, taking a cue from the Mumbai players. As you can see, there has long been a tradition in Mumbai for its Indian players to attend Ranji matches whenever they are available. In the North, particularly in Delhi, it is absent,” Sharma stated.
Additionally, the BCCI has stated that players ought to play domestic cricket. Though I don’t think they will, I believe Virat and Rishabh ought to play at least one game,” he continued.
Delhi is awaiting approval from Virat Kohli.
The batter has not confirmed that he would play in Delhi’s next games, as Kohli is now on vacation in Ali Baug with his family. Rohan Jaitely, the head of the DDCA, also mentioned that the star batter may have been contacted by the CAC and selector regarding possible inclusion.
“The selectors and the CAC are the ones who would be in contact and coordinating things, so they would be far better equipped to respond on whether we have reached out or not,” Jaitley stated.
India
