Virat Kohli set to Play Ranji Trophy match against Railways

Indian cricket stalwart Virat Kohli is set to make a return to domestic cricket, with sources from the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) confirming his availability for Delhi’s Ranji Trophy match against Railways, starting January 30. This marks Kohli’s first Ranji Trophy appearance in over a decade, his last outing being in November 2012 against Uttar Pradesh.

Kohli’s return to Ranji cricket comes amid a policy change by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which mandates participation in domestic matches for players to remain eligible for national team selection and central contracts. This decision follows India’s disappointing 3-1 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, leading the BCCI to emphasize the importance of domestic cricket for its international stars.

Although Kohli will miss Delhi’s game against Saurashtra beginning January 23, his availability for the Railways clash is expected to provide a significant boost to the team. Currently, Delhi sits fourth in their group with one win, one loss, and three draws, accumulating 14 points.

Since his last Ranji appearance, Kohli has been a dominant force in international cricket, amassing records across formats. However, he has largely stayed away from the domestic circuit, a trend seen among many top Indian players.

In his first-class career, Kohli has scored 11,479 runs in 155 matches at an average of 48.23, including 37 centuries and 39 fifties, with a best score of 254*. His return to Ranji cricket offers a chance to regain form and rhythm, particularly after a challenging year with the bat.

Kohli’s recent form has been underwhelming. In 2023, he scored just 417 runs in 10 Tests at an average of 24.52, with one century and one fifty. Across all international formats last year, he accumulated 655 runs in 32 innings at an average of 21.83. His performance in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle also fell short of expectations, scoring 751 runs in 14 matches at an average of 32.65.

In Tests since 2020, Kohli has managed 2,028 runs in 39 matches at an average of 30.72, including three centuries and nine fifties. His highest score during this period was 186.

The BCCI’s new policy aims to ensure that India’s top players maintain match readiness and contribute to the domestic circuit. Alongside Kohli, other international stars, including Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, are set to participate in the Ranji Trophy.