The Delhi cricket team has received a big boost ahead of the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, with Rishabh Pant to lead the team when the tournament begins on December 24. The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) announced a strong 20-member squad on December 19 in the presence of Virat Kohli.
The DDCA selectors have handed the captaincy to India’s Test vice-captain and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper Rishabh Pant for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, while young sensation Ayush Badoni has been named the deputy.
Rishabh Pant named Delhi captain for Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, Virat Kohli set for long-awaited List A comeback
The biggest talking point is the return of India’s batting superstar Virat Kohli to List A cricket for Delhi after a long gap of 15 years. The presence of the former Indian captain has added a lot of experience to the team selected for the first two matches of the 50-over tournament.
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Kohli last played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy during the 2009–10 season, with his last appearance coming in February 2010. In 14 matches in the tournament, the right-handed batsman has scored 819 runs at an excellent average of 68.25 and a strike rate of 106.08.
Virat Kohli also has four centuries and three half-centuries to his name in India’s premier 50-over competition. Meanwhile, the Delhi squad also includes senior fast bowlers Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini, who have confirmed their availability for the tournament.
Harshit Rana confirmed to play in Vijay Hazare Trophy
India’s young fast bowler Harshit Rana will join the Delhi team after being released from national duty as he was part of the recent T20 series against South Africa. However, DDCA has not told for how many matches Indian stars like Kohli, Pant and Rana will be available.
“Mr. Rishabh Pant, Mr. Virat Kohli, Mr. Ishant Sharma and Mr. Navdeep Saini have confirmed their availability and will be part of the team. Mr. Rishabh Pant has been appointed as the captain of the team. Mr. Harshit Rana will join the team as and when available,” DDCA said in a press release.
Meanwhile, Delhi has been placed in Group D and has to play seven matches between December 24 and January 8. However, it is still unclear whether Pant and Kohli will be available for all the matches, with India’s ODI series against New Zealand starting on January 11 in Vadodara.
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DDCA picks balanced team for Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26
Delhi will begin its Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 campaign with consecutive matches against Andhra on December 24 and Gujarat on December 26, which will be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
Pant will be the main wicketkeeper, while Tejashwi Dahiya will serve as the backup option. Anuj Rawat has been named as the standby wicketkeeper in case Pant is unavailable. The batting unit also includes Yash Dhull, Priyansh Arya, Arpit Rana and Nitish Rana.
The bowling attack looks well balanced, with Simarjit Singh and Prince Yadav leading the fast bowling unit, while spinners Hrithik Shaukeen, Harsh Tyagi and Vaibhav Kandpal bring variety.
Delhi team for Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26:
Rishabh Pant (captain/wicketkeeper), Ayush Badoni (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma, Navdeep Saini, Arpit Rana, Yash Dhull, Sarthak Ranjan, Priyansh Arya, Tejasvi Singh (wicketkeeper), Nitish Rana, Hrithik Shaukeen, Harsh Tyagi, Simarjeet Singh, Prince Yadav, Divij Mehra, Ayush Doseja, Vaibhav Kandpal, Rohan Rana, Anuj Rawat. (stand-by)
Rishabh Pant will lead Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. Virat Kohli has also confirmed his availability and will be a part of the team. pic.twitter.com/NVlG7tHVuT
-Debassissen (@debassissen) 19 December 2025
