New Delhi: Delhi’s Ranji Trophy campaign began on a promising note last week, securing three valuable points against Hyderabad. However, the team is once again grappling with its perennial selection issues as they prepare to face Himachal Pradesh this Saturday.
Despite an impressive India ‘A’ call-up and a stellar IPL season, opener Priyansh Arya is reportedly set to be benched yet again for the upcoming match. Arya, who recently smashed a century in his only India ‘A’ appearance against Australia ‘A’ last month, remains sidelined without a first-class debut.
This isn’t the first time Arya has faced such a dilemma. Last season, after securing a lucrative Rs 3.8 crore IPL contract, he was on the verge of being released from Delhi’s Vijay Hazare squad without playing a single match. It took the intervention of Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) president Rohan Jaitley to avert that situation.
Delhi has struggled to find a consistent opening partner alongside Sanat Sangwan. Curiously, selectors continue to lean on Arpit Rana, despite his modest record of just 84 runs in five first-class matches. A DDCA source revealed on Friday, “The selectors and team management argue that Arpit contributed three crucial lower-order wickets against Hyderabad, and it would be unfair to drop him after just one innings.”
Within Delhi cricket circles, there’s a prevailing belief that Arya isn’t suited for red-ball cricket. This perception persists even after he was forced to play U-23 cricket following his T20 and List A debuts for Delhi a season prior.
Head coach Sarandeep Singh and the selectors will face significant pressure if Arpit Rana fails to perform against Himachal Pradesh at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The pitch, known for its green top and cooler capital temperatures, is expected to offer considerable assistance to seamers with the new ball early in the morning.
Delhi captain Ayush Badoni, who is scheduled to depart for Bengaluru to join India ‘A’ for matches against South Africa ‘A’ immediately after this game, will be hoping for a solid opening partnership. Arya’s best opportunity to finally make his first-class debut might well depend on Badoni’s eventual absence in the subsequent Ranji fixture, as the India ‘A’ match overlaps with Delhi’s next game starting November 1.
Beyond the opening conundrum, pacers Navdeep Saini and Simarjeet Singh are also under close observation. Simarjeet has seen limited first-class action in recent years, while Saini has struggled to consistently pick up wickets over the past two seasons.