Star batsman Virat Kohli has been named in Delhi’s 22-member provisional squad for their upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra in Rajkot, but there are still doubts over his participation after he was found to be suffering from pain. It is learned that Kohli has hinted to the top brass of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) that he is suffering from a pain in the neck which he picked up in Sydney during the final Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia. He has been treated by a physiotherapist there and as of now, there is no clarity on his fitness for the Ranji match starting on January 23.
Whether he will play or travel to Rajkot for just a few days for training will be clear only after he clarifies his stance to DDCA president Rohan Jaitley.
Kohli last played a red-ball match for Delhi in 2012 against Uttar Pradesh in Ghaziabad. A year later, the legendary Sachin Tendulkar played his last match in the Ranji Trophy against Haryana in Lahli.
Wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant will feature in a Ranji Trophy match after nearly seven years even though it is learned that he has turned down the captaincy, meaning Aayush Badoni will continue in the role.
“Rishabh felt that the current skipper (Badoni) should continue to lead the team. He feels that since he is not constantly available, one should not tinker with the leadership,” a DDCA Supreme Council member told PTI on condition of anonymity.
“When he was offered the captaincy of the team, he said he was very happy to play under Badoni. We have selected 22 players including five Under-23s, who will travel to Bhilai for the CK Nayudu Under-23 match against Chhattisgarh, starting January 25,” he added.
The BCCI has made it mandatory for all centrally contracted cricketers to play domestic cricket unless there is a compelling reason to skip the assignment.
The board warned that non-compliance would result in penalties, including deductions from the central contract and a ban from playing in the Indian Super League.
Among the big names confirmed for the upcoming Ranji match are Yashasvi Jaiswal, who will represent Mumbai, and Shubman Gill, who will represent Punjab in the next round.
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