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Virat Kohli Confirms Ranji Trophy Return After 12-Year Hiatus For Delhi
By CricShots - Jan 21, 2025 9:52 am
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Virat Kohli is set to return to the Ranji Trophy after a 12-year hiatus, marking a significant moment in Indian domestic cricket. The star batter will represent Delhi in their next fixture against Railways, starting January 30. Previously, Kohli was unavailable for the January 23 match against Saurashtra due to neck stiffness. However, sources within the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) confirmed his availability for the upcoming game, expressing delight at his decision to participate after so many years.

Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli

“Virat Kohli is available for the Ranji Trophy fixture against Railways on January 30. He had some neck stiffness, so he wasn’t available for the match against Saurashtra. We are really happy that he has decided to represent Delhi after all these years,” DDCA sources told Hindustan Times.

Kohli has an impressive record in the Ranji Trophy, scoring 1,574 runs in 23 matches at an average of 50.77, including five centuries. His standout season came in 2009-10 when he amassed 374 runs in just three matches at an incredible average of 93.50. His last appearance in the tournament was during the 2012-13 season against Uttar Pradesh, where he scored a steady 57.

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One of Kohli’s most memorable domestic cricket moments occurred in 2006 during a match against Karnataka. Despite losing his father overnight, the young Kohli returned to bat the next day and scored a valiant 90, showcasing immense mental strength and dedication.

Recently, Kohli has struggled with consistency in Test cricket. While he scored a century in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener against Australia in Perth, his overall series performance was underwhelming, managing just 190 runs in five matches. A recurring technical flaw—chasing deliveries outside the off-stump—led to all eight of his dismissals, highlighting a challenge he must overcome.

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Kohli’s form has become a topic of concern as he lags behind his contemporaries in the ‘Fab Four’—Joe Root, Kane Williamson, and Steve Smith—scoring only three Test centuries in the past four years. Included in India’s squads for the three-match ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy, Kohli has a chance to rediscover his rhythm ahead of the ICC tournament.

The BCCI’s new 10-point directive for centrally contracted players mandates participation in domestic cricket, ensuring that players like Kohli stay connected to India’s grassroots cricket and remain eligible for national selection.