Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has announced his participation in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, set to commence on December 24. This news was confirmed by Rohan Jaitley, president of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA). Kohli, who now specializes in ODIs for India following his retirement from Test cricket earlier this year, is expected to bring his significant experience to the domestic tournament for the first time since February 2010, when he last played in the competition against Services.
Currently, Kohli is engaged in an ODI series against South Africa, where he recently notched up his 52nd century in the opening match held in Ranchi. This achievement underscores his continued prowess in the format, despite focusing solely on ODIs since stepping away from T20Is after India’s victory in the 2024 World Cup in Barbados.
Jaitley expressed enthusiasm about Kohli’s involvement, stating, “His presence will be a massive boost to the Delhi dressing room.” Even though it remains unclear how many matches Kohli will participate in, his arrival is anticipated to attract large crowds, reminiscent of the over 12,000 fans who attended a Ranji Trophy match in which he played earlier this year—marking his return to first-class cricket after over a decade.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy will see Delhi kick off their campaign against Andhra in Bengaluru, with a total of six matches lined up. Notably, Kohli’s teammate and fellow star Rohit Sharma will also be featured in the tournament, having also retired from Test cricket prior to the England tour. Both players showed signs of their remarkable abilities in the recent ODI series against South Africa, setting the stage for an exciting domestic season ahead.
Kohli’s return to domestic cricket not only serves as a crucial preparation for future international assignments but also reaffirms his commitment to Indian cricket during this transitional phase. With two of India’s major batsmen participating in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the anticipation and excitement from fans remain high as they look forward to what promises to be an electrifying event.