Delhi Names 24-Member Squad for Ranji Trophy Opener

New Delhi, Oct 10 (PTI) An unprecedented move by the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) sees a massive 24-member squad named for Delhi's opening Ranji Trophy match against Hyderabad on October 15. Ayush Badoni will lead the team, with Yash Dhull serving as vice-captain.

The DDCA's selection committee, meeting this past Thursday, made the notable decision to recall seasoned batter Nitish Rana. Rana, returning to Delhi after a short period with Uttar Pradesh, has been directly included in the red-ball squad.

"The selectors have named 24 because they felt that a larger pool should always be available for each game,” said DDCA Secretary Ashok Sharma, in conversation with PTI. “For home games in Delhi, we will trim it down to 15." Rana’s return was commented upon by Sharma, stating, "He is an experienced player, and the selectors wanted to assess him. He's slated to play in white-ball cricket, and we hope to see Rishabh Pant in the forthcoming game." However, one DDCA official, requesting anonymity, noted that Rana isn't fully fit for red-ball matches.

"Despite Nitish Rana's lack of full fitness for red-ball engagements, he has been included," the official remarked.

The decision to appoint a large squad prompted questions, given that the BCCI's anti-corruption code allows only 15 players inside the dressing room. A senior DDCA official explained, "Besides the 15 selected for the match, the remaining nine will stay in the team hotel for four days." Moreover, it has surfaced that none of the coaching staff or selection committee members have been given contracts.

The squad announcement did not include a selection committee chairman’s name, amid contrasting preferences for the role being debated. Former BCCI official, favoring Services' Yashpal Singh to lead, while current DDCA officers back KP Bhaskar. Selectors Yashpal Singh, K Bhaskar Pillai, and Manu Nayar, were present at the meeting, along with chief coach Sarandeep Singh, CAC member Surinder Khanna, and DDCA officials Ashok Sharma (Secretary) and Amit Grover (Joint Secretary).

"All selected players have been advised to report to chief coach Sarandeep for practice on October 10 at the St Stephen's Ground," stated a release from DDCA.

Delhi Squad: Ayush Badoni (captain), Yash Dhull (vice-captain), Arpit Rana, Sanat Sangwan, Anuj Rawat (wk), Sumit Mathur, Shivam Sharma, Rounak Waghela, Navdeep Saini, Simarjeet Singh, Money Grewal, Siddhant Sharma, Dhruv Kaushik, Pranav Rajvanshi (wk), Nitish Rana, Himmat Singh, Ayush Doseja, Rahul Dagar, Hrithik Shokeen, Priyansh Arya, Tejasvi (wk), Vaibhav Kandpal, Rohan Rana, Aryan Rana (subject to fitness).