Shikhar Dhawan, Gautam Gambhir return for crucial Delhi Ranji clash

Shikhar Dhawan will be keen to prove his fitness as Delhi prepare to clash against Rajasthan in the Ranji Trophy match in Wayanad.

Gautam Gambhir and Shikhar Dhawan, who is fit after suffering a thumb injury in the New Zealand series, are set to open for a Delhi side that is desperate for six points against Rajasthan in the sixth round Ranji Trophy group B encounter in Wayanad.

Shikhar Dhawan will be keen to prove his fitness in the Ranji Trophy game between Delhi and Rajasthan. (AFP)

Gambhir has been released by the Indian team while Dhawan, who has recovered from a thumb fracture, will be eager to get back into action with his sights set on the ODI series in January.

“Gambhir and Dhawan will be opening the innings while Unmukt (Chand) will bat at number three. This is a do-or-die match for us. We need two outright wins from our next three matches if we have to have any chance of qualifying for the knock-out phase. I am keeping my fingers crossed,” chief coach KP Bhaskar told PTI.

Delhi’s main problems have been their spin department with both Varun Sood and Manan Sharma struggling when there is no assistance from the track.

Asked about the paucity of spinners, Bhaskar said:”Varun and Manan are the best we have. We have an off-spinner Pulkit Narang, that we have kept in the 13 for the match. But he is still very inexperienced. Out of the squad of 15, we have kept Sarthak Ranjan and Dhruv Shorey out.”