Ishant Sharma was on Wednesday appointed the captain of Delhi T20 side for the first time ever after DDCA announced a 14-member squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali domestic T20 tournament starting on February 21. Ishant replaced fast bowler Pradeep Sangwan, who did not find a place in the side despite leading Delhi to title in the last edition of the tournament.
Unsold in IPL for two successive seasons – he was picked up by KXIP as a replacement in 2017 – Ishant will play his first T20 match after almost two years. A regular in India’s Test side, this could be Ishant’s last throw of the dice to revive his limited overs career.
Ishant’s availability though will be a major boost for a weakened Delhi side, which failed to make it to the knockout stages of the recently concluded Ranji Trophy. Delhi were led by Nitish Rana in the latter half of the Ranji Trophy after Gautam Gambhir decided to hang his boots.
Rana will once again have the responsibility of carrying Delhi’s batting on his shoulders. He will have the support of talented middle order batsmen Dhruv Shorey and Himmat Singh. Notably, Unmukt Chand, whose fifty in the finals last year helped Delhi clinch the Syed Mushtaq Ali title, has retained his place in the side.
Opening batsman Manjot Kalra, who represented India in the last U-19 World Cup, has earned his maiden T20 call-up.
As far as the bowling is concerned, Navdeep Saini will share the new ball with Ishant while all-rounders Subodh Bhati and Pawan Negi will take care of the middle overs.
In Rishabh Pant’s absence, Anuj Rawat will take the gloves for Delhi.
The Defending champions start their campaign against Jharkhand at Vijayawada on the opening day of the tournament.
Delhi Syed Mustaq Ali T20 team 2019: Ishant Sharma(c), Nitish Rana, Dhruv Shorey, Himmat Singh, Unmukt Chand, Manjot Kalra, Hiten Dalal, Lalit Yadav, Pawan Negi, Navdeep Saini, Suboth Bhati, Pranshu Vijayran, Varun Sood, Anuj Rawat(WK)