DDCA’s Turmoil Persists as Jumbo Ranji Trophy Squad Unveiled, Nitish Rana’s Inclusion Raises Eyebrows
The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) is preparing for the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season by selecting a 25-member squad for their initial matches. The team will kick off their campaign with an away game against Hyderabad on October 15, followed by a home match against Himachal Pradesh at the Arun Jaitley Stadium starting October 25. Ayush Badoni has been appointed as captain, with Yash Dhull serving as his deputy. Rishabh Pant is also included in the squad, pending medical clearance from the BCCI.
The selection process for the Ranji Trophy squad faced criticism due to its rushed nature. The senior selection committee, led by Yashpal Singh, KP Bhaskar, and Manu Nayyar, made decisions based solely on net practice, as the pool of probables did not participate in any practice matches. This lack of preparation stemmed from delays in finalizing the support staff for the season. The announcement of the squad occurred on September 27, just weeks before the tournament’s commencement, raising concerns about the overall organization within the DDCA.
In a surprising move, Nitish Rana has been included in the squad despite his previous exclusion from red-ball cricket while playing for Delhi. Rana’s selection was justified by DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma, who cited his performance in the state’s T20 league, the DPL, as a key factor. This decision has sparked debate, as it marks a rare instance of a selection for four-day cricket being influenced by T20 performance. The DDCA has a history of selecting large squads, and while Sharma noted that the extra players would serve as backups, they will still travel with the team but remain at the hotel during matches.
The internal dynamics within the DDCA have also come under scrutiny, with ongoing conflicts among office bearers affecting the selection process. The first meeting of the season was marked by tension, as some members sought to remove Secretary Sharma from the discussions. Despite these challenges, the DDCA is expected to finalize and publish the squad soon, although last-minute changes could still occur. The organization has struggled in recent years, and the current situation reflects ongoing issues that have hindered the team’s performance in domestic competitions.
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