Virat Kohli Ranji Trophy 2024 : Veteran batsman Virat Kohli and aggressive wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant have found a place in the huge 84-member list of probable players of Delhi's Ranji Trophy team, but both of them are unlikely to be available for any red-ball match for the team during the entire season. However, experienced fast bowler Ishant Sharma has not found a place in this list. Mayank Yadav, the country's fastest bowler, and Harshit Rana, another contender for a place in the Indian team, are among the probable players.

Kohli last played a Ranji Trophy match for Delhi in 2012 against Uttar Pradesh in Ghaziabad, while Pant last played a red-ball match for the team before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. "It is a protocol. They are our registered players and if they want to play, it is our responsibility to put their names in the probables list," a DDCA official told PTI on condition of anonymity.

Ishant Sharma did not get a chance.

In the case of 35-year-old Ishant, who has played 100 Tests, it is understood that there is no point in him playing Ranji Trophy as he is no longer in the national team's plans. Ishant did not play in the first Delhi Premier League (DPL) as well but it will be interesting to see if he makes himself available for the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament. This T20 tournament will be held just before the IPL auction.

All eyes are on Mayank Yadav

MP Pappu Yadav's son Sarthak Ranjan has also found a place in the list of probable players. However, all eyes will be on Mayank, who caught everyone's attention by bowling at speeds of over 150 kmph in the IPL before being ruled out due to a stomach muscle strain.

Mayank now has a BCCI fast bowlers contract and has been at the National Cricket Academy for the last five months. He is now bowling at least 15 overs a day in simulations. Hopefully, he will play for Delhi as the national selectors will select the India A team for Australia and if he is fit, he will be a contender to make it to that team.