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Rana Takes Delhi Captaincy, Mystery Surrounds Star Spinner's Omission
22 Nov
Summary
- Nitish Rana appointed captain for Delhi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
- Spinner Digvesh Rathi was surprisingly excluded despite prior IPL success.
- Delhi will play all its matches in Ahmedabad, grouped with strong teams.
Nitish Rana has been named captain for Delhi's campaign in the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which begins on November 26. Delhi is placed in Elite Group D and will contest matches exclusively in Ahmedabad against formidable opponents including Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. This season marks Rana's debut for Delhi after his transfer from Uttar Pradesh, and his leadership will be crucial for the team's fortunes.
The most striking aspect of the squad announcement is the exclusion of wrist-spinner Digvesh Rathi. Rathi, who impressed in IPL 2025 with 14 wickets, apparently fell out of favor due to a perceived dip in performance during the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2025 and a public disagreement with captain Nitish Rana. The selection committee's decision, in consultation with head coach Sarandeep Singh, has raised eyebrows.
Several other players face uncertain futures. Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini are sidelined with injuries, their return dates pending recovery and rehabilitation. Harshit Rana's participation hinges on his availability for India's upcoming white-ball series. Meanwhile, Priyansh Arya and Suyash Sharma join the squad after India A's exit from the Rising Asia Cup.
