The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) recently announced the senior men’s probable squad for the upcoming round of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25. International cricketers Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Harshit Rana have been included in the probable squad.

In the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 points table, Delhi are in fourth place in Group D of the Elite Group challenge with 14 points after five matches (one win, one loss, and three draws). In the group stage, Delhi have two matches left, against Saurashtra and Railways, starting on January 23 and 30, respectively. 

Both matches are must-win games for Delhi to stay in contention for the knockout stages of the tournament.

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Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Harshit Rana are in Delhi's probable squad

Recently, the DDCA announced the complete probable squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches, where the international players Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Harshit Rana were also named. It was also mentioned that the international players' inclusions are subject to their availabilities. 

Rana is in Indian T20I squad, Kohli and Pant can serve for Delhi

Meanwhile, India are ready to host England in a five-match T20I series and then a three-match ODI series. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the T20I squad, where the pacer Harshit Rana has been included. While the T20I series will start on January 22, Rana is likely to be unavailable for Delhi in the last two league-stage matches of the Ranji Trophy. 

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli already retired from T20I cricket, and Rishabh Pant has been rested from the T20I series. While both can be named for the ODI series, which will be a crucial preparation for Team India for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, starting on February 19, they can play for Delhi in the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches. 

Kohli is struggling with the bat in the red-ball format, and the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches can boost his confidence before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. 

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 Group C match Delhi vs Manipur at Wankhede Stadium experienced two new histories in T20 cricket. It was another successful outing for Delhi, who maintained their winning streak in this tournament as the Group C table topper, recording four out of four wins after beating Manipur by four wickets. However, it wasn’t easy for Delhi as they went down to 44/4 and 84/5 while chasing down the 121-run target. 

Delhi bowlers destroyed the Manipur top and middle orders as they were struggling at 41/6. Among the top six batters, only the opener Ulenyai Khwairakpam (19) reached double-digit scores. The lower-order batters captain Rex Rajkumar (23) and wicketkeeper-batter Ahmed Shah (32) added some crucial runs. At 93/8, L Kishan Singha (14*) and Lambam Singh (9*) added some crucial runs to reach a total of 120/8. 

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Delhi used 11 bowlers

Among the Delhi bowlers, Harsh Tyagi (2/11) and T20 debutant Digvesh Rathi (2/8) took two wickets each. During that first innings, Delhi set up a new T20 history by using all 11 players to bowl in that innings. It was the first time in T20 cricket history that a team used all 11 players to bowl in an innings. The previous record was using nine bowlers in a T20 innings, as we have experienced that 32 times before the Delhi vs Manipur T20 match. 

On the other hand, Delhi’s bowling experiment almost cost the game, but the opener Yash Dhull’s 59 not out off 51 balls (eight fours and one six) massively helped Delhi to chase the target in 18.3 overs after losing six wickets. Mayank Rawat (18) and the T20 debutant Aryan Rana (13) provided some crucial support to Dhull. 

Delhi vs Manipur T20 had 18 bowlers

Among the Manipur bowlers, Bishworjit Konthoujam (2/15) took two wickets. They also used seven bowlers in that innings as the match experienced 18 bowlers. It was the first time in T20 cricket history that 18 different players bowled in a match. The previous record was 17 bowlers in a T20 match during Matabeleland Tuskers v Mashonaland Eagles in 2010 Harare T20 and Botswana v St Helena in 2022 Rwanda T20I.