The inclusion of Kohli and Pant comes at a time when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it mandatory for centrally contracted players to participate in at least two rounds of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. With no international commitments for almost three weeks, several Indian regulars have made themselves available for domestic duty. Delhi, placed in Group D, will play all seven group stage matches in Bengaluru between December 24 and January 8.
According to the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), Kohli, Pant, Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini have all confirmed their availability. Harshit Rana, currently part of India’s T20I squad against South Africa, will join the team once he is relieved from national duties.
Pant has been given the leadership role as Delhi looks to bounce back from disappointing performances in the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He will also don the wicket-keeping gloves, with Tejasvi Dahiya named as the second keeper and Anuj Rawat as the standby option.
On the other hand, the former India captain is coming off a productive ODI series against South Africa where he scored two and a half centuries. His last appearance for Delhi in domestic cricket came in the Ranji Trophy in January, and his first in the 50-over format since 2011.
The Delhi squad also includes experienced pacer Ishant Sharma, who made his Ranji Trophy debut for Delhi along with Kohli in 2006. Navdeep further strengthens the pace department, while young pacers Simarjeet Singh and Prins Yadav provide depth. The spin attack is led by Hrithik Shokeen, Harsh Tyagi and Vaibhav Kandpal, with Rohan Rana providing an all-round option. Ayush Badoni has been named vice-captain while the batting group includes Yash Dhull, Nitish Rana, Priyansh Arya and others.
Delhi squad for the first two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches
Rishabh Pant (captain), Ayush Badoni (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Arpit Rana, Yash Dhull, Sarthak Ranjan, Priyansh Arya, Tejasvi Singh (wk), Nitish Rana, Hrithik Shokeen, Harsh Tyagi, Simarjeet Singh, Prince Yadav, Divij Mehra, Ayush Doseja, Vaibhav Kandpal, Rohan Rana, Ishant Sharma, Navdeep Saini. Anuj Rawat (standby wicketkeeper)
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