Batsman Gautam Gambhir is likely to be released by the Indian team management as the selection committee of the Delhi & District Cricket Association has named him in the 16-member squad for the Ranji Trophy match against Rajasthan.
Pacer Ishant Sharma, who is also warming the India bench, has also been named in the Delhi squad as the 16th member.
“The selectors have spoken to Gautam and he has expressed his interest in playing the next round encounter as he will be getting valuable match time. That’s the reason we have named Gautam in the squad. In case, we don’t get him, we have kept Himmat Singh as cover,” a member of the selection panel told PTI.
The Indian team management are still contemplating whether to release Sharma. Delhi face Rajasthan in Wayanad in Kerala for the four-day game from November 21. The game will also feature opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan, who is returning after an injury layoff.
Thirty-five-year old Gambhir, who made a return to the Indian side after an absence of two years last month, was dropped from the playing XI in the ongoing second Test against England in Vizag after regular opener KL Rahul was recalled into the side.
Delhi squad:
Gautam Gambhir, Unmukt Chand, Shikhar Dhawan, Dhruv Shorey, Milind Kumar, Nitish Rana, Rishabh Pant, Manan Sharma, Pradeep Sangwan, Navdeep Saini, Sumit Narwal, Vikas Tokas, Sarthak Ranjan, Pulkit Narang, Varun Sood, Ishant Sharma. Stand By: Himmat Singh.