Delhi announced their Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 squad with senior India stars Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant named in the roster for the opening phase of the domestic 50-over tournament. Pant has been appointed captain, while Kohli’s return to List A cricket for Delhi has been after 15 years. The 20-member squad has been announced for Delhi’s first two group-stage matches, which will be played in Bengaluru starting December 24.

The inclusion of Kohli and Pant comes at a time when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it mandatory for centrally contracted players to feature in at least two rounds of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

With no international commitments for nearly three weeks, several Indian regulars have made themselves available for domestic duty. Delhi, placed in Group D, will play all seven of its group-stage matches in Bengaluru between December 24 and January 8.

According to the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), Kohli, Pant, Ishant Sharma, and Navdeep Saini have all confirmed their availability. Harshit Rana, currently part of India’s T20I squad against South Africa, will join the team once he is released from national duties.

Pant has been handed the leadership role as Delhi looks to bounce back from underwhelming performances in the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He will also don the wicketkeeping gloves, with Tejasvi Dahiya named as the second keeper and Anuj Rawat included as a standby option.

On the other hand, the former India captain is coming off a prolific ODI series against South Africa, where he smashed two centuries and a half-century. His last appearance for Delhi in domestic cricket came during the Ranji Trophy in January, and his first time in the 50-over format since 2011.

Delhi’s squad also features veteran pacer Ishant Sharma, who, along with Kohli, made his Ranji Trophy debut for Delhi back in 2006. Navdeep further strengthens the pace department, while young quicks Simarjeet Singh and Prince Yadav provide depth. The spin attack will be led by Hrithik Shokeen, Harsh Tyagi and Vaibhav Kandpal, with Rohan Rana providing an all-round option.

Ayush Badoni has been named vice-captain, while the batting group includes Yash Dhull, Nitish Rana, Priyansh Arya, and others.

Delhi squad for the first two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches

Rishabh Pant (capt), Ayush Badoni (vice-capt), Virat Kohli, Arpit Rana, Yash Dhull, Sarthak Ranjan, Priyansh Arya, Tejasvi Singh (wk), Nitish Rana, Hrithik Shokeen, Harsh Tyagi, Simarjeet Singh, Prince Yadav, Divij Mehra, Ayush Doseja, Vaibhav Kandpal, Rohan Rana, Ishant Sharma, Navdeep Saini. Anuj Rawat (standby wicketkeeper)