Read the Real Reasons Behind the Exclusion of Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Yashasvi Jaiswal from India’s T20 Squad for the England Series

The Big Five of the Indian Test Team Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Yashasvi Jaiswal are poised to make a comeback in the Ranji Trophy following a disappointing Border Gavaskar Trophy performance. Ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025, these players are focusing on enhancing their skills and game readiness.

Rohit Sharma Returns to Mumbai

Indian captain Rohit Sharma had a disappointing Test season last year, which resulted in him sitting out of the Sydney Test. When many expected Rohit to announce his retirement at the end of the series, he surprised everyone by stating that he is not yet finished with the format and wishes to play in the Test series during the England tour in June.

Given his recent struggles with batting form, the veteran has decided to make a comeback in domestic cricket. He was seen practicing alongside Mumbai players Ajinkya Rahane and others at Wankhede Stadium. Rohit is expected to play one Ranji match before the Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to take place in the UAE.

The last time Rohit Sharma played in the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai was in 2015 against Uttar Pradesh, where he scored a total of 113 runs across both innings.

Virat Kohli Hinting His Return to Delhi

Virat Kohli had a disappointing Test season last year, managing only one century and facing heavy criticism for his performance, particularly during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

He was especially criticized for getting out in a similar fashion eight times. However, the veteran player is now clear-minded and willing to continue playing Test cricket for some time. He has expressed his intention to return to domestic cricket to sharpen his skills and regain form before the Champions Trophy season begins. 

There are also rumors about him potentially playing County Cricket for Surrey once the IPL is over, in preparation for the England tour. It is anticipated that Kohli may return to represent his home team, Delhi, in the Ranji Trophy for one last time, expected to play one match ahead of the Champions Trophy in 2025.

The last time Virat Kohli played in the Ranji Trophy for Delhi was in 2012 against Uttar Pradesh, where he scored a total of 57 runs across both innings.

Rishabh Pant’s Comeback after 7 years 

Rishabh Pant is set to play a Ranji Trophy match for Delhi against Saurashtra, marking his first game in seven years. Known for his aggressive playing style in longer formats of the game, Pant typically approaches each match with a mindset to attack from ball one, regardless of the conditions. However, during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he performed below his usual standards, except for one innings in Sydney where he showcased his natural game. In other matches, his attempts to adapt to different situations affected his performance, leading him to lose wickets quickly.

To address these challenges, Pant is returning to his roots and is eager to make an impact in his first Ranji match in nearly a decade. His exclusion from the T20 squad will gain significance with this upcoming Ranji match, which is set to begin the day after the T20I series against England starts.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill Confirm Availability for Upcoming Ranji Trophy Matches

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill have confirmed their availability for their respective teams, Punjab and Mumbai, for the upcoming matches. Both players were not selected for the T20I team facing England at home. Shortly after, they made themselves available to their teams, likely as part of their preparation for the Champions Trophy 2025.

Shubman Gill has recently struggled with his form and has lost some of his sharpness. In contrast, Yashasvi Jaiswal has been in good form, displaying his skills during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. However, the BCCI requested that Jaiswal prioritize availability for the Mumbai Ranji team to maintain his batting form, as he is expected to be included in the Champions Trophy 2025 squad.