The Delhi District and Cricket Association (DDCA) announced a massive 84-man probable list for the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season on Tuesday (September 24), with some notable inclusions as both talisman batter Virat Kohli and star wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant were picked.
This is the first time since 2019 that Kohli's name features in the list of probable for Delhi while he has not played a Ranji Trophy match in more than a decade. Kohli's last appearance for Delhi in India's premier first-class competition came in 2012.
Meanwhile, Pant has also gone a long period without playing in the Ranji Trophy. The 26-year-old has not played the tournament since making his Test debut for India in 2018 against England. Pant's last appearance in the competition was in the 2017-18 final against Vidarbha.
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While Kohli and Pant have been named in Delhi's probable squad, it is nearly impossible for the duo to feature in the competition and end their long hiatus without playing in the Ranji Trophy.
Such is the scheduling of the competition that Kohli and Pant will be busy with national duty for the entire duration of the competition and will not be available for Delhi.
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The first match of the Ranji Trophy season starts on October 11, while India is set to face New Zealand in the first Test of a three-match Test series on October 16 in Bengaluru, meaning that no member of the Indian test team can play the season opener.
With three Test matches against New Zealand followed up with the tour of Australia, no player part of the playing XI will get the chance to play domestic cricket.
It is worth noting that the Ranji Trophy is divided into two halves this time around with the first four league stage matches from October 11 to November 16. After which the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) and Vijay Hazare Trophy will be played. The Ranji Trophy will resume on January 23, with the group stage set to end on February 2. Later, the knockout matches will take place from February 8 to March 2.
The Indian team is almost playing back-to-back cricket till January 7 without any breaks. By the time, the second phase of Ranji matches start, India are scheduled to host England in five T20I and three ODIs from February 22, which will be followed by the Champions Trophy 2025.
Indian Cricket Team Schedule Till March 2025
| Tournament | Matches | Dates |
| India vs Bangladesh Test series | 2 Tests | September 19-October 1 |
| India vs Bangladesh T20I series | 3 T20Is | October 6-October12 |
| India vs New Zealand Test series | 3 Tests | October 16-November 5 |
| South Africa vs India T20I series | 4 T20Is | November 8-November 15 |
| Australia vs India Test series | 5 Tests | November 22-January 7 |
| India vs England T20I series | 5 T20Is | January 22-February 2 |
| India vs England ODI series | 3 ODIs | February 6-February 12 |
| Champions Trophy 2025 | 5 Matches (if India reach final) | February 19- March 9 (reportedly) |
Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Schedule
| Match | Dates |
| Elite Group Match 1 | October 11-14 |
| Elite Group Match 2 | October 18-21 |
| Elite Group Match 3 | October 26-29 |
| Elite Group Match 4 | November 4-7 |
| Elite Group Match 5 | November 13-16 |
| Elite Group Match 6 | January 23-26 |
| Elite Group Match 7 | January 30-February 2 |
| Elite Group QF | February 8-11 |
| Elite Group SF | February 17-21 |
| Elite Group Final | February 26-March 2 |
Evidently, the schedule of India’s international assignments and the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy are in direct clash with each other. As a three-format player, there is no chance for Pant to feature in any match of the competition. On the other hand, Kohli has retired from T20I and could play the final two games of the league stage.
However, it is likely that India will want Kohli to use the period to rest after a grueling Test season with the 2025 Champions Trophy coming up where he will be key to India's hopes. Moreover, the former India captain playing red-ball cricket after the Test season is over and a major white-ball challenge on the cards is unlikely.