Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) announced a 16-member Delhi squad on Wednesday for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, starting September 24. The Delhi squad consists of wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant and pacer Navdeep Saini and will be led by top-order batsman Dhruv Shorey.

While talking to PTI about Rishabh Pant, Delhi senior team’s chairman of selectors Atul Wassan said, “Pant is expected to play at least first two to three games for Delhi as he will then report for the national team. Rishabh himself said that he wanted to play.”

As the 26-year-old right-arm pacer Saini is not selected for the upcoming home Test series against the Proteas, he is expected to be available for the better part of the National one-day championship.

When asked about India opener Shikhar Dhawan opting out of the squad, Wassan said, “Shikhar needs to go back to Australia to attend to some family matters. He has said that he will join the squad at a later date.”

16-member Delhi squad: Dhruv Shorey (captain), Nitish Rana, Rishabh Pant, Himmat Singh, Hiten Dalal, Kunal Chandela, Lalit Yadav, Pawan Negi, Navdeep Saini, Subodh Bhati, Kulwant Khejrolia, Manan Sharma, Kunwar Bhiduri, Vikas Tokas, Tejas Baroka, Anuj Rawat.

(With PTI inputs)