Ranji Trophy: Virat Kohli to play for Delhi after 13 years

Star batter Virat Kohli set to play for Delhi in Ranji Trophy against Railways, preparing for upcoming international matches.

Star batter Virat Kohli will play for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy fixture against Railways from January 30 to February 2 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The last time Kohli played in the First Class competition was in November 2012, against Uttar Pradesh in Ghaziabad.

“Kohli spoke to me and confirmed his availability for the Railways game,” Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) president Rohan Jaitley told The Hindu on Monday (January 20, 2025).

With the BCCI making participation in domestic cricket mandatory for players to be eligible for selection in the national team according to new guidelines, a number of India players, including Rohit Sharma, will be turning out for their State teams in the next round commencing January 23.

Kohli is missing the game against Saurashtra due to a neck sprain.

Kohli had his travails with the bat in the five-Test series in Australia.

The Ranji fixture will give the 36-year-old an opportunity to get back among the runs before joining the Indian team for the three-match ODI series against England followed by the Champions Trophy.