Wed Jan 15 15:54:43 UTC 2025: ## Kohli’s Ranji Trophy Participation Uncertain Despite Pant’s Confirmation

**Rajkot, India –** While wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has confirmed his return to domestic cricket, playing for Delhi in their upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra, the participation of star batsman Virat Kohli remains uncertain.

Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) secretary Ashok Sharma stated that Kohli’s name is on the probables list for the final two rounds of the Ranji Trophy. Sharma urged Kohli to follow the example of Mumbai’s Indian players, who regularly participate in domestic matches when available, a practice he feels is lacking in Delhi and the North.

Pant’s return marks a significant development; his last Ranji Trophy appearance was in 2017. Meanwhile, the availability of Rohit Sharma for Mumbai’s match against Jammu and Kashmir is also unclear, despite his recent participation in a Mumbai practice session.

The lack of domestic cricket from India’s top players has come under scrutiny following recent series losses to New Zealand and Australia. DDCA president Rohan Jaitely acknowledged the importance of Kohli’s participation, emphasizing the positive impact his presence would have on younger players. However, he also cited fitness and scheduling concerns as potential obstacles.

The BCCI has previously stressed the importance of domestic cricket for national team selection, with warnings issued to players about the consequences of non-participation. This call for greater domestic involvement echoes sentiments expressed by India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir.

While the DDCA has included Kohli in their probables, his actual participation remains uncertain, pending further discussions and considerations of his fitness and schedule. The situation highlights an ongoing debate about the balance between international commitments and the role of domestic cricket in developing and maintaining player form.

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