Indian cricket star Virat Kohli is set to make his long-awaited return to the Ranji Trophy, representing Delhi in their match against Railways starting January 30, according to sources within the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA). Kohli’s previous appearance in India’s premier domestic tournament dates back to November 2012, where he struggled against Uttar Pradesh, managing scores of 14 and 42.
Details of Kohli’s Availability
- Kohli will not play in Delhi’s match against Saurashtra, starting January 23, but has confirmed his availability for the Railways game.
- The move aligns with the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) revised policy mandating domestic cricket participation for national team eligibility and central contracts.
Kohli’s First-Class Career
- Kohli has featured in 155 first-class matches, amassing 11,479 runs at an average of 48.23, with 37 centuries and 39 half-centuries. His career-best score is 254*.
- His return is expected to strengthen Delhi’s campaign, as the team currently sits fourth in their group with 14 points from one win, one loss, and three draws.
BCCI’s New Domestic Policy
The BCCI introduced a policy requiring international players to participate in domestic cricket following India’s disappointing 3-1 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This measure aims to ensure top players remain in touch with local conditions and formats.
Kohli’s Recent Struggles
Kohli’s return to domestic cricket could serve as a platform to regain form after a challenging phase:
- Test Performance in 2023: 417 runs in 10 matches at an average of 24.52, with one century.
- Overall Performance in 2023: 655 runs across formats at an average of 21.83 in 32 innings.
- Since 2020, Kohli has played 39 Test matches, scoring 2,028 runs at an average of 30.72 with just three centuries.
Implications of His Return
Kohli’s participation in the Ranji Trophy could boost his confidence ahead of India’s international fixtures, offering him valuable game time in red-ball cricket. For Delhi, his presence adds significant experience and firepower to their lineup as they strive to advance in the tournament.
The match against Railways presents a key opportunity for Kohli to silence critics and re-establish himself in the longer format of the game.