Due to strict instructions from the BCCI, senior players of Team India will participate in the second round of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25, starting on January 23. As a result, Rishabh Pant has declined the offer to captain the Delhi team. The Delhi Cricket Association has not yet announced the squad for the next round, but Pant is expected to be included.
According to a Cricbuzz report, Pant has agreed to play in the Ranji Trophy and will represent Delhi in the match against Saurashtra at the Rajkot ground. The report also mentions that Pant was offered the captaincy of the Delhi Ranji team but decided not to take on the responsibility.
Last Played Domestic Cricket in 2018
It is important to note that Rishabh Pant last played in the Ranji Trophy in 2018. After nearly seven years, he will take the field again to play a match in the tournament. According to a Cricbuzz report, after Pant refused the captaincy, the Delhi Cricket Association’s selection committee, led by Gursharan Singh, may now consider handing over the captaincy to Ayush Badoni for the second round of the Ranji Trophy.
DDCA President, Rohan Jaitley has confirmed that #RishabhPant declined to accept captaincy as he doesn’t want to disturb the existing leadership group for a match or two.#RanjiTrophy #Delhi pic.twitter.com/eMPKEXhroA
— Circle of Cricket (@circleofcricket) January 17, 2025
Left Captaincy for Champions Trophy
A major reason behind Pant’s decision not to take up the captaincy is believed to be his inability to play matches continuously. Pant is almost certain to be included in the Indian squad for the Champions Trophy 2025. Meanwhile, the Delhi team is currently tied for second place in Group D with 19 points in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy.
DDCA offered Captaincy to Pant but he didn’t want to affect the balance of the side and thought it could be unfair – as Ayush Badoni has already been Captaining this season.
It is understood that he passed this to DDCA & decided to opt out of Captaincy – so that Ayush can… pic.twitter.com/cCl1kO06J7
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 17, 2025
Expressed Trust in Ayush Badoni
According to the Cricbuzz report, Pant believes that his entry as captain could disrupt the team’s balance. He expressed full confidence in the current captain and coach, Sarandeep Singh. Pant has scored 4,868 runs in 68 first-class matches at an average of 46.36, including 11 centuries and 24 half-centuries. It is understood that Pant communicated this to the DDCA and decided to opt out of the captaincy, allowing Ayush Badoni to continue as the team’s captain.