Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli is set to miss Delhi’s Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Railways scheduled for Tuesday, January 5, with the Delhi team confirming his unavailability. However, no official reason has been disclosed yet, leaving fans and observers speculating over the late development. It remains to be seen whether the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) will clarify the circumstances behind Kohli’s absence.
Kohli recently made a much-anticipated return to domestic 50-over cricket in December, featuring in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for the first time in over a decade. He turned out for Delhi in two matches against Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, both played behind closed doors in Karnataka.
The comeback came in line with the BCCI’s directive urging centrally contracted players to participate in at least two domestic matches. DDCA president Rohan Jaitley had earlier indicated that Kohli was available for one more game, making his sudden unavailability a talking point.
ALSO READ: Joe Root Comes To The Defence Of English Batters After Jamie Smith Dismissal
On the field, Virat Kohli looked in sublime touch during his brief domestic stint. He produced a commanding 131 while chasing a challenging target of 299 against Andhra Pradesh on December 24, showcasing vintage composure and control. He followed it up with a brisk 77 off just 61 balls against Gujarat on December 26, playing a pivotal role in Delhi’s narrow seven-run victory.
🚨Sad News For Virat Kohli
Fans 🚨Virat Kohli will not Participate tomorrow game against Railways in Vijay Hazare Trophy
( @CricSubhayan ) pic.twitter.com/p17xSlQQmR— Dilkesh (@ImDilkeshMeena) January 5, 2026
The Andhra Pradesh match also saw Virat Kohli etch his name into the record books once again. Batting at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, he became the fastest player in history to reach 16,000 List A runs, achieving the milestone in just 330 innings. He surpassed the long-standing record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who took 391 innings to get the landmark.
WATCH – Ben Stokes Tells Marnus Labuschagne To “Shut Up” In Heated Ashes Clash
Virat Kohli is now set to shift focus to international duties, with the Indian ODI squad scheduled to assemble in Vadodara by January 8 ahead of the New Zealand series. Reports suggest he may arrive a day earlier to fine-tune his preparations. The three-match ODI series begins on January 11, and Kohli will have his sights on another Tendulkar record—most ODI runs against New Zealand. With 1,657 runs in 33 matches, he is just 93 short of Tendulkar’s tally, strengthening his case for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
