The Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) has concluded its selection committee meeting, and the forthcoming announcement is expected to be more formal than a revelation.
While the official squad is yet to be released, sources indicate that Rishabh Pant will not captain the team. Instead, Ayush Badoni will continue to lead the side. The inclusion of Virat Kohli in the squad remains uncertain as Delhi prepares to face Saurashtra in Rajkot on January 23, reports Live Cricket Score.
Pant, who has made himself available for the game—his first Ranji Trophy match since 2018—has reportedly declined the captaincy offer. The India wicketkeeper-batsman, who has previously led the national team and served as vice-captain, is said to have suggested that Badoni retain the leadership role. Pant assured the Gursharan Singh-led selection committee that he would fully support Badoni’s captaincy while focusing on his contributions to the team.
“He was offered the captaincy but turned it down, insisting that Badoni should continue in the role,” a source familiar with the development revealed. “He felt it wouldn’t be appropriate to assume the captaincy solely based on his international and IPL experience. He believed stepping in as captain at this stage could disrupt the team’s dynamics. Pant expressed full confidence in Badoni and coach Sarandeep Singh to execute the vision they had set at the start of the season.”
Delhi currently sits in joint second place in the Elite Group D standings with 19 points, a promising position heading into the next round of matches.
A Curious Role Reversal
Interestingly, the dynamic between Pant and Badoni will shift when the IPL begins in March. Pant is expected to captain the Lucknow Super Giants, where Badoni plays as a retained junior player. However, the Lucknow franchise has not officially announced its season captaincy.
Virat Kohli’s Uncertain Availability
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli’s participation in the Ranji game remains in doubt. Sources indicate the star batsman is not fully fit. DDCA president Rohan Jaitley is expected to speak with Kohli, who has recently struggled with form in international cricket.
This development comes in the wake of the BCCI’s directive urging international players to prioritize domestic cricket when not engaged in national duties or recovering from injuries. Jaitley, however, has not yet responded to inquiries on the matter.
The Jadeja and Rahul Question
Additionally, there has been no confirmation regarding the availability of Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul for the upcoming Ranji games. Both players, however, are expected to participate in the subsequent round of matches.
As the squad announcement looms, Delhi’s cricketing landscape appears set for intriguing days ahead, with its senior players stepping into new roles and navigating challenges both on and off the field.
