Did Delhi Announce a Badoni-led 24-member Ranji Trophy Squad with Nitish Rana Included?
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Synopsis
On October 10, the DDCA revealed a 24-member Ranji Trophy squad for the upcoming season, with Ayush Badoni as captain and Yash Dhull as vice-captain. Notable absentees include Rishabh Pant, while seasoned player Nitish Rana makes a comeback after a hiatus. The squad aims for a strong performance after last season's shortcomings.
Key Takeaways
- Ayush Badoni appointed as captain of the Delhi squad.
- Yash Dhull serves as vice-captain.
- Squad includes Nitish Rana, returning after a hiatus.
- Delhi's campaign begins on October 15 against Hyderabad.
- Rishabh Pant is expected to return post-recovery.
New Delhi, Oct 10 (NationPress) The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has unveiled a 24-member squad for the forthcoming Ranji Trophy season, appointing Ayush Badoni as captain and Yash Dhull as vice-captain.
Delhi’s 2025/26 campaign kicks off with an away match against Hyderabad on October 15, followed by a home game against Himachal Pradesh at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on October 25. Badoni returns as Delhi's skipper after participating with the India ‘A’ team in red-ball matches against Australia ‘A’ in Lucknow.
The selection meeting included notable figures such as Yashpal Singh, KP Bhaskar, Manu Nayyar, chief coach Sarandeep Singh, CAC member Surinder Khanna, DDCA Secretary Ashok Sharma, and Joint Secretary Amit Grover. Other significant players in the squad are Priyansh Arya, Anuj Rawat, Navdeep Saini, Simarjeet Singh, and Hrithik Shokeen.
Among the squad members is the seasoned left-handed batter Nitish Rana, making a comeback after playing for Uttar Pradesh. His selection raises eyebrows as Rana struggled with red-ball performance in the last two domestic seasons, accumulating runs primarily in this year’s Delhi Premier League (DPL).
While India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is absent from the squad, there is anticipation that he will be ready to play once he regains full fitness following rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, where he has been since mid-September.
Pant is recovering from a fractured right foot sustained during the fourth Test against England in Manchester in July, which has caused him to miss the ongoing Tests against West Indies and the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia.
IANS previously reported that Pant could return in time for Delhi’s home game against Himachal Pradesh. There's speculation that if included in Delhi’s squad for the premier red-ball competition post fitness clearance, he might even take on the captaincy.
In this year’s Ranji Trophy, Delhi is placed in Elite Group D, competing against 42-time champions Mumbai, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Hyderabad, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Puducherry. After failing to qualify for the knockouts last season, there are hopes that on-field performances will be prioritized amidst selection controversies.
Delhi squad: Ayush Badoni (captain), Yash Dhull (vice-captain), Arpit Rana, Sanat Sangwan, Anuj Rawat (wk), Sumit Mathur, Shivam Sharma, Rounak Waghela, Navdeep Saini, Simarjeet Singh, Money Grewal, Siddhant Sharma, Dhruv Kaushik, Pranav Rajvanshi (wk), Nitish Rana, Himmat Singh, Ayush Doseja, Rahul Dagar, Hrithik Shokeen, Priyansh Arya, Tejasvi (wk), Vaibhav Kandpal, Rohan Rana, and Aryan Rana (subject to fitness).
Point of View
The announcement of the Delhi squad for the Ranji Trophy reflects the association's commitment to rejuvenating the team. The inclusion of Ayush Badoni as captain and seasoned players like Nitish Rana indicates a balance between youth and experience. As the cricketing season approaches, all eyes will be on Delhi to see if they can reclaim their former glory.
NationPress
10/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the captain of the Delhi Ranji Trophy squad?
Ayush Badoni has been appointed as the captain of the Delhi Ranji Trophy squad.
When does Delhi start its Ranji Trophy campaign?
Delhi's Ranji Trophy campaign begins on October 15 with an away match against Hyderabad.
Is Rishabh Pant included in the squad?
No, Rishabh Pant is not included in the squad due to his ongoing recovery from a foot injury.
Who is the vice-captain of the Delhi Ranji Trophy squad?
Yash Dhull has been named vice-captain of the Delhi Ranji Trophy squad.
What group is Delhi in for the Ranji Trophy?
Delhi is placed in Elite Group D for this year's Ranji Trophy.
