Virat Kohli has been named in Delhi's 22-member squad for the final two rounds of the Ranji Trophy, which are set to begin on January 23. However, his participation will depend on his availability, as sources have confirmed. Alongside Kohli, Rishabh Pant is also included in the squad. The squad was finalized after a meeting of Delhi's selection committee on Friday, January 17. Ayush Badoni will continue as captain, having led the team in the first half of the current season.
Pant, the wicketkeeper, is expected to feature in the playing XI in at least the upcoming round of the Ranji Trophy. Kohli, who last played a domestic match during the 2012-13 season, a year before Sachin Tendulkar's final Ranji appearance, will return to domestic cricket for the first time in over a decade. Rishabh Pant, on the other hand, hasn't played a domestic match since the 2017-18 season.
Both players were named in Delhi's probable list earlier this month. While Kohli has retired from T20I cricket, Pant is not part of India's T20I squad for the upcoming five-match series against England, which starts on January 22. Kohli, however, is set to return to international action in early February, during a three-match ODI series against England, starting on February 6. This series will be India's final one-day assignment before the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19.
If Kohli and Pant are fit, they are expected to play in both of Delhi's remaining Ranji Trophy matches. Currently, Delhi is in fourth place in their eight-team group, with one win, one loss, and three draws from five matches.
This development also follows the BCCI's recent 10-point disciplinary guideline, which mandates participation in domestic cricket for players to be eligible for selection in the national team and central contracts. This policy is designed to ensure players stay connected to the domestic cricket system, improve match fitness, and help strengthen the overall domestic structure, according to the BCCI. Additionally, several prominent players, including Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, are expected to feature in the upcoming Ranji Trophy round starting January 23.
