Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Kerala, Delhi announce squads for opening round, Samson included, Rishabh Pant misses out

Kerala, who made a historic final appearance in the Ranji Trophy last season, will be led by a new captain as they embark on a fresh campaign in the prestigious first-class tournament starting October 15. The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) on Friday, October 10, announced wicketkeeper-batter Mohammed Azharuddeen as the new skipper, replacing Sachin Baby.

The 15-member squad includes former captain Sanju Samson, who had a fallout with the KCA toward the end of the previous season. Regulars Rohan S Kunnummal, M D Nidheesh, and Salman Nizar have retained their places, while the team also features two guest players, Baba Aparajith and Ankit Sharma. In a surprise move, Tamil Nadu-born Aparajith has been named vice-captain, despite the presence of experienced players like Samson and Baby.

Amay Khuraisya continues as the head coach of the senior side. Kerala will kick off their Ranji Trophy season against Maharashtra at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, starting October 15.

Kerala squad for Round 1

Mohammed Azharuddeen (C), Baba Aparajith (VC), Sanju Samson, Sachin Baby, Rohan S Kunnumal, Vathsal Govind, Akshay Chandran, Salman Nizar, Ankit Sharma, MD Nidheesh, Basil NP, Eden Apple Tom, Ahammed Imran, Shoun Roger, Abhishek P Nair

Rishabh Pant not fit for opening round

Delhi have announced their squad for the first round of the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season, set to begin on October 15, with their opening fixture against Hyderabad. The 24-member squad will be led by Ayush Badoni, while Yash Dhull has been named vice-captain. The promising batter Priyansh Arya received his maiden call-up following an impressive domestic and IPL season.

Arya was one of the standout performers in the 2025 IPL, scoring 475 runs as an opener for the Punjab Kings (PBKS). Rishabh Pant was not included in the squad as he continues to recover from the fractured toe he sustained during the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford in July.

Nitish Rana, who returned to Delhi after spending two seasons with Uttar Pradesh, has also been named in the squad. The veteran seamer Ishant Sharma was left out, with Navdeep Saini and Simarjeet Singh leading Delhi’s pace attack for the upcoming season.

Delhi squad for Round 1

Ayush Badoni (C), Yash Dhull (VC), Anuj Rawat (wk), Arpit Rana, Sanat Sangwan, Sumit Mathur, Shivam Sharma, Rounak Waghela, Navdeep Saini, Simarjeet Singh, Money Grewal, Siddhant Sharma, Dhruv Kaushik, Pranav Rajvanshi, Nitish Rana, Himmat Singh, Ayush Doseja, Rahul Dagar, Hrithik Shokeen, Priyansh Arya, Tejasvi Dahiya (wk), Vaibhav Kandpal, Rohan Rana, Aryan Rana (subject to fitness).