“I don’t know who gave him the permission” - Delhi official blasts player for joining Gujarat Titans camp ahead of Ranji Trophy 2024-25

Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) secretary Ashok Sharma has slammed Delhi wicketkeeper-batter Anuj Rawat for joining his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Gujarat Titans' (GT) training session in Surat and skipping his state's camp ahead of the second phase of the Ranji Trophy. Delhi begin their first match of the second phase against Saurashtra on January 23.

Rawat's decision is bound to ruffle a lot of feathers in the DDCA, as reports suggest he did not take permission from them to join the GT's pre-season camp. DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma told PTI (via Sports Tak):

"I have no knowledge that Anuj has skipped the ongoing Ranji Trophy camp to attend the IPL team's camp. Ideally, he needs to take permission from the state association. We have two Ranji games left and the camp is on at the Kotla. I don't know who gave him the permission to skip the Ranji Trophy camp," Sharma said.

"Ishant Sharma's case is different as he doesn't need DDCA's permission" - DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma

Last season, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer bore the brunt of the BCCI's displeasure when they skipped the Ranji Trophy matches of their respective states. Both players were barred from the central contracts given out by the board, with their decision to skip the red-ball tournament making heads turn.

Earlier, Gujarat Titans had mentioned in a statement that they had started their preparations for the 2025 IPL with a training camp in Surat.

"Gujarat Titans have commenced their preparations for the IPL 2025 with a training camp in Surat. Players like Anuj Rawat, Ishant Sharma, Jayant Yadav, Kumar Kushagra, Mahipal Lomror and Arshad Khan have joined the team in the camp along with the coaches and support staff," Gujarat Titans said in a statement (via Sports Tak).

DDCA secretary Sharma mentioned that although Delhi pacer Ishant Sharma too had joined the GT camp, the latter did not need permission. Ishant had already written to the DDCA requesting that he not be considered for the Ranji Trophy since he is not in contention to make a comeback for India.

"Ishant's case is different as he doesn't need DDCA's permission since he doesn't play Ranji Trophy," Sharma said.