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Rishabh Pant is all set to play the last two matches of the Ranji Trophy for Delhi, sources told CricBlogger. With the Indian team facing some scrutiny after their recent tour of Australia, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has evidently decided to send players who didn’t make a significant impact in Australia back to their domestic teams. This move allows players like Pant to work on their form, sharpen their skills, and regain confidence in competitive domestic cricket.
Sources also said that Pant will lead the Delhi team — thus adding another layer of significance to his return. Leading the side could serve as a crucial step in his leadership development, especially considering his name is already in the leadership mix for India post-Rohit Sharma. This is a strategic move by the DDCA selectors and BCCI, not just to allow Pant to regain his form, but also to give him more responsibility and an opportunity to showcase his leadership skills in a domestic setting.
Pant has shown glimpses of his leadership abilities in the IPL with Delhi Capitals, and leading a state team in the Ranji Trophy could help him further hone those skills in a more traditional, longer-format environment. This move aligns with the BCCI’s broader strategy of preparing potential future leaders for Indian cricket, especially with a transition in leadership looming. It could be an important moment in Pant’s career, helping him not just as a player, but as a leader who could take the reins of Indian cricket in the coming years.
Despite his impressive start to international cricket, he has faced ups and downs in recent times. A good run in the domestic circuit could be the perfect platform for him to reclaim his spot in the national side. This could also serve as a wake-up call for other Indian cricketers (like Virat Kohli) who haven’t been able to consistently perform, ensuring they focus on improving their game at the domestic level before they return to the international arena.
