Rishabh Pant has returned to India from the Australia tour. However, it wasn’t a very special tour for him. While he batted brilliantly in some matches, his aggressive style and big runs, which are expected from him consistently, were missing this time. The Indian team for the India vs England series and the Champions Trophy is soon to be announced, and it is expected that Pant will be selected. However, before that, there is a possibility that he may take charge of his Ranji team.
Rishabh Pant Could Play Ranji Trophy for Delhi
The BCCI has clarified that if a player is not injured and is not playing in international matches, they must play domestic cricket during that time. This has led to many international players, including Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill, being named for the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches. Rohit Sharma, after meeting his Mumbai team, practised briefly at Wankhede Stadium, but it’s uncertain if he will play in the match.
Rishabh Pant May Captain Delhi in Ranji Trophy
It is almost certain that Rishabh Pant will play for Delhi in the upcoming Ranji Trophy, with reports suggesting that he could be named as the captain. Delhi’s first Ranji Trophy match is scheduled in Rajkot on January 23, and the team will be announced in the next couple of days. Pant could be entrusted with the leadership of the team.
Rishabh Pant’s Impressive First-Class Record
Pant’s statistics in first-class cricket are impressive. He has scored 4,868 runs in 68 matches, with an average of 46.36 and a strike rate of 81.45. He has also scored 11 centuries and 24 half-centuries. Pant began his first-class career in 2015, and after recovering from a terrible accident, he has played only a few matches in domestic cricket. It remains to be seen how he performs upon his return to the field.
🚨 RISHABH PANT TO CAPTAIN 🚨
– Rishabh Pant likely to lead Delhi in the Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra starting on January 23rd. [Sahil Malhotra from TOI] pic.twitter.com/NL4nrNMQbo
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 16, 2025
No Update on Virat Kohli’s Availability
As of now, there has been no update from Virat Kohli regarding his availability for the upcoming Ranji Trophy match. Since Rishabh Pant has confirmed his participation, the focus has now shifted to Kohli and whether he will make himself available for the match. Kohli is currently in Mumbai, preparing for the housewarming of his new residence in Alibaug. It is expected that he will provide an update after this event.
Rohit Sharma, Jaiswal, and Gill Confirm Availability
There has been more clarity regarding other players. Rohit Sharma recently practiced with Mumbai’s Ranji team, which raised expectations that he may play in the upcoming match. Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal (Mumbai) and Shubman Gill (Punjab), both of whom were part of India’s Australia tour, have confirmed their availability and will play for their respective teams in the Ranji Trophy.
