Virat Kohli to play Ranji Trophy for first time since 2012 but there is a catch

The 22-man tentative squad for Delhi's forthcoming Ranji Trophy 2025 match against Saurashtra in Rajkot includes former India skipper Virat Kohli. However, a reported 'neck niggle' casts doubt on his participation.

The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) leadership was notified by Kohli of the injury he suffered during the final Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test in Sydney, according to sources who spoke to the PTI news agency. Even though the team physiotherapist has been treating him, it is still unclear if he would be available for the Ranji contest beginning on January 23. Following more talks with DDCA president Rohan Jaitley, a decision will be made about Kohli's involvement or whether he will attend a few training sessions in Rajkot.

In 2012, Kohli played his final red-ball game for Delhi in Ghaziabad against Uttar Pradesh. Sachin Tendulkar's final Ranji Trophy match against Haryana took place in Lahli the next year.

In other news, after almost seven years, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is expected to return to the Ranji Trophy. He has chosen not to be captain, though, so Ayush Badoni can still lead the team. Pant said he wanted Badoni to stay captain, pointing to his own erratic availability, according to a member of the DDCA apex council.

“When offered the captaincy, Rishabh said he was happy to play under Badoni. We have also included five U-23 players in the 22-member squad. These players will travel to Bhilai for their CK Nayudu U-23 match against Chhattisgarh starting January 25,” a DDCA official told PTI news agency.

Centrally contracted players are required to participate in domestic cricket unless they have a valid cause to do otherwise, according to a new guideline implemented by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Penalties for violating this rule might include having their central contract retainers deducted and being disqualified from the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Shubman Gill, who will play for Punjab, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who will represent Mumbai, are two notable players who have been confirmed to compete in the forthcoming Ranji round. 

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