Will Virat Kohli play for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy this season?

Virat Kohli last played in the Ranji Trophy in 2012.

The form of Virat Kohli in test cricket has come under the scanner significantly following India’s last two test series losses – to New Zealand at home and to Australia in the away BGT 2024-25.

While Kohli’s numbers have been on a nosedive since 2021, it’s his recent struggles in Australia – getting out to the outside off-stump deliveries eight times on the tour – that’s more concerning.

Kohli managed just two scores of fifty-plus in the two series defeats against New Zealand and Australia. Since 2021, he’s averaged 31 in tests with only three hundreds, and since 2024, he’s averaged merely 23 with one fifty and one century.

Following India’s recent test series defeats, the BCCI made it mandatory for centrally contracted players to participate in domestic cricket when they are not involved in India’s matches.

While Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant will feature in the upcoming round of Ranji Trophy, starting on January 23, Virat Kohli will play in the next round.

Will Virat Kohli play for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy this season?

Kohli will return to the Ranji Trophy after 12 years as he will play in Delhi’s last match of the group phase, starting on January 30, against Railways. Delhi head coach Sarandeep Singh confirmed Kohli’s availability for the Railways match to ESPNcricinfo.

Kohli will miss Delhi’s next match, starting on January 23, against Saurashtra in Rajkot due to reported neck pain, of which he’s informed the BCCI.

Kohli had reportedly taken an injection for neck pain following the end of the test series in Australia, which India lost 3-1.

The Delhi vs Railways Ranji game is slated to run from January 30 to February 2, which is only three days before the start of the ODI series against England.

Kohli has been named in the squad to take on England in the three-match ODI series and the following ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.