Is Rishabh Pant the New Captain for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy?
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Synopsis
In an exciting development, Rishabh Pant has been appointed as the captain of Delhi for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, starting December 24 in Bengaluru. With Virat Kohli confirming his participation, the team is set for a strong showing. This article explores the implications of these changes and what it means for Delhi's prospects in the tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Rishabh Pant is the new captain for Delhi.
- Virat Kohli's participation boosts the team's prospects.
- The tournament starts on December 24 in Bengaluru.
- Delhi has a mixed history in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
- New players like Ayush Badoni are stepping up.
New Delhi, Dec 19 (NationPress) India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been appointed as the captain of Delhi for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, which kicks off on December 24 in Bengaluru.
The squad has received a significant boost with the inclusion of veteran batsman Virat Kohli, along with seasoned fast bowlers Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini. As per the BCCI directive, players with central contracts are required to participate in domestic competitions, ensuring that seam-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana will join the Delhi side upon his availability, as confirmed by the DDCA on Friday.
The selection committee convened at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday to finalize the Delhi squad from a large pool of probables announced earlier. Attending the meeting were selectors Yashpal Singh, K. Bhaskar Pillai, and Manu Nayar, along with chief coach Sarandeep Singh, CAC member Robin Singh (Jr.), secretary Ashok Sharma, and joint secretary Amit Grover.
Delhi's initial two matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy will be held against Andhra and Gujarat at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, a venue where Kohli usually plays for his IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The team will also compete in five additional matches at the Alur Cricket Ground, located on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
Kohli recently excelled as the Player of the Series in India’s 2-1 ODI victory against South Africa, while Pant is eager for some action after remaining an unused player in the ODI series against the Proteas.
The duo will represent Delhi until India’s ODI series against New Zealand, scheduled from January 11-17, 2026. Notably, Kohli last featured in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Delhi during the 2009/10 season.
All-rounder Ayush Badoni has been named vice-captain, and the squad for the first two matches includes Arpit Rana, Yash Dhull, Sarthak Ranjan, Priyansh Arya, Tejasvi Singh, Nitish Rana, Hritik Shokeen, Harsh Tyagi, Simarjeet Singh, Prince Yadav, Divij Mehra, Ayush Doseja, Vaibhav Kandpal, Rohan Rana, and Anuj Rawat.
Ranjan and Tejasvi were recently signed by the three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during the IPL 2026 auction held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Delhi clinched the Vijay Hazare Trophy in the 2012/13 season, finishing as runners-up in the 2015/16 and 2018/19 editions.
Point of View
I find that the appointment of Rishabh Pant as captain brings fresh energy to Delhi's team. The participation of Virat Kohli adds a layer of experience that could be pivotal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. It's crucial for Delhi to leverage this opportunity to perform well in the tournament, as their past records reflect potential that needs to be realized.
NationPress
20/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the captain of Delhi for the Vijay Hazare Trophy?
Rishabh Pant has been appointed as the captain of Delhi for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy.
When does the Vijay Hazare Trophy start?
The Vijay Hazare Trophy is set to start on December 24 in Bengaluru.
Is Virat Kohli playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy?
Yes, Virat Kohli has confirmed his availability for the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Where will Delhi play their matches?
Delhi will play its first two matches at M Chinnaswamy Stadium and the remaining matches at Alur Cricket Ground in Bengaluru.
When was the last time Kohli played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy?
Virat Kohli last played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Delhi in the 2009/10 season.
