Will Virat Kohli play in Delhi's next Ranji Trophy match?

Virat Kohli averaged 24.5 in test cricket in 2024.

Virat Kohli has faced severe criticism for his recent struggles in test cricket. The former Indian captain scored 417 runs in the tests in 2024 at an average of 24.5 with one century and one fifty in 19 knocks.

Kohli’s struggles in test cricket worsened in the latter part of the year. The 37-year-old faced difficulties against New Zealand‘s left-arm spinners Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner.

He then began the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 with a century in Perth but lost his form as the series progressed. All of his eight dismissals in Australia were to balls outside the off-stump.

Kohli’s poor form has sparked discussions about his future in test cricket. The likes of Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan have strongly suggested Kohli play in domestic red-ball matches to practice and rectify his flaws.

Delhi will take on Saurashtra on January 23 as they resume their Ranji Trophy 2024-25 campaign. The team is currently fourth in Group E and needs wins to move up the table.

Will Virat Kohli play in Delhi’s next Ranji Trophy match?

Kohli’s participation in Delhi’s next Ranji Trophy game against Saurashtra remains uncertain. He has been included in Delhi’s list of probables for the second phase of the Ranji Trophy but is yet to confirm his availability to the District Cricket Association (DDCA).

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma said that while the association wishes Kohli to play, they have not yet received any confirmation from the Indian cricketer.

Ashok Sharma told PTI, “We want him (Kohli) to play but we haven’t heard from him.“

Kohli’s last appearance in the Ranji Trophy was in November 2012, for Delhi against Uttar Pradesh, where he scored 14 runs in the first innings and 43 runs in the second.

India’s next red-ball assignment is set to begin in June, with the team touring England for a five-match test series. While Kohli had a forgettable tour in 2014, he redeemed himself with brilliant centuries during the 2018 series.

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