Rishabh Pant has confirmed his availability for Delhi’s next Ranji Trophy game against Saurashtra. File
| Photo Credit: AP

Rishabh Pant has confirmed his availability for Delhi’s next Ranji Trophy game against Saurashtra in Rajkot from January 23 to 26. Pant, 27, hasn’t played for Delhi in India’s premier domestic First-Class competition since leading the side in the 2017-18 final against Vidarbha in Indore that the latter won.

“Pant is available for the next Ranji game. He will join the Delhi team directly in Rajkot,” Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) president Rohan Jaitley told The Hindu on Tuesday night.

The news comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) advised top cricketers to participate in the Ranji Trophy following India’s 3-1 loss to Australia in the five-Test series Down Under. Virat Kohli is also among Delhi’s probables for the upcoming fixture, but it is understood that there has been no communication from the star batter yet regarding his availability. The Ranji Trophy is resuming after a two-month gap in which the white-ball tournaments were held.  

On Tuesday, Rohit Sharma trained with the Mumbai team ahead of its clash against Jammu and Kashmir at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy. While it is uncertain if Rohit will play the match, fellow opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has made himself available. Shubman Gill is also available for Punjab, which faces Karnataka at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Pant played all five Tests in Australia, scoring 255 runs at an average of 28.33. Having been excluded from India’s five-match T20I series against England, scheduled from January 22 to February 2, the wicketkeeper-batter will look to make an impact for Delhi.

After India’s loss in the final Test in Australia, coach Gautam Gambhir urged players to be available for domestic cricket.

“I would always like everyone to play domestic cricket,” Gambhir had said. “That is how much importance domestic cricket needs to be given. Not only one game. If they’re available and they have the commitment to play red-ball cricket, everyone should play domestic cricket. As simple as it can get. If you don’t give importance to domestic cricket, you will never get the desired players what you want in Test cricket.”

Delhi Capitals’ head coach Ricky Ponting, Axar Patel and Rishabh Pant, during a practice session ahead of the Indian Premier League 2024 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Bengaluru on May 11, 2024
| Photo Credit: K. Murali Kumar

Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting backed Axar Patel to come good as captain in the absence of the suspended Rishabh Pant for the tie against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Bengaluru on May 11.

“He has been vice-captain for the last couple of seasons and he is very sensible and understands the game really well,” said Ponting, on match-eve.

“And he is really excited. We started talking about it a couple of days ago when there was a possibility that Rishabh might be banned. So, he has got his head around it. I am sure he will lead the team really well.”

Apart from being the leader, Pant has been his side’s best batter. With David Warner’s fitness still wobbly — he has missed the last four matches — DC will need to dip into its reserves.

“Rishabh has been one of the best players this IPL and not having him is a loss. But it is also a great opportunity for others. We have to think about an Indian middle-order player. David Warner has trained really strongly. We hope he is available for selection.”

Happy times again: Delhi Capitals will be bolstered by the return of its swashbuckling skipper Rishabh Pant.
| Photo Credit: IPL/Sportzpics

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) cleared Rishabh Pant on Tuesday to play in the upcoming Indian Premier League that starts on March 22.

Pant was seriously hurt in a car accident in December 2022 and underwent knee surgery, followed by an extensive recovery process over the last year.

The BCCI, in a statement, said, “After undergoing an extensive 14-month rehab and recovery process, following a life-threatening road mishap on December 30, 2022, near Roorkee, Uttarakhand, Rishabh Pant has now been declared fit as a wicket-keeper batter for the upcoming IPL 2024.”

The 26-year-old is expected to lead his IPL side, Delhi Capitals, this year. The team will play its first match on March 23 against Punjab Kings in Mohali. Pant was also present with his team at the player auction held in Dubai in December 2023.

The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter last appeared in India colours in the second Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur, in December 2022.

The IPL this year is a crucial event for players hoping to book a berth in the national squad for the ICC T20 World Cup, which will be held in the West Indies and the USA in June.

A good season for Pant in the IPL could pave the way for his return to the national side for the world event.

Shami, Prasidh out of IPL

Meanwhile, fast bowlers Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Shami have been ruled out of the IPL after undergoing surgeries last month.

Prasidh had surgery on his left proximal quadriceps tendon, while Shami underwent surgery for a right heel problem in the U.K.