After a gap of 12 years, Team India batsman Virat Kohli is reportedly set to play in India’s premier domestic first-class tournament. According to reports, Virat Kohli has confirmed his availability for Delhi’s final group stage match against Railways in the 2024-25 season, which will be played from January 30 to February 2.
The second match of Ranji Trophy 2024-25 is scheduled to begin on January 23. Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja have confirmed their availability for Delhi’s match against Saurashtra in Rajkot. Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are also expected to feature for their home teams in the upcoming round.
Virat Kohli is unlikely to play in the upcoming Delhi vs Saurashtra Ranji match
However, Virat Kohli is unlikely to play in the upcoming Ranji match between Delhi and Saurashtra due to his recovery from neck pain, as reported by ESPNcricinfo. The 36-year-old batsman last played in the Ranji Trophy in November 2012, when he represented Delhi in a match against Uttar Pradesh.
Kohli is still recovering from neck pain, for which he received an injection on January 8, three days after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ended in Sydney. However, Kohli has confirmed his availability for Delhi’s Ranji Trophy match against Railways, as confirmed by Delhi head coach Sarandeep Singh.
Just three days between the Ranji match and the start of the ODI series against England
Virat Kohli’s participation in Delhi’s Ranji Trophy match against Railways remains uncertain. It is not clear whether he informed the Indian team management about his plans. If the Ranji match ends on February 2, it will leave just three days before the start of the ODI series against England on February 6.
The right-handed batsman is part of India’s squad for the England series and ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Kohli is set to return to international cricket for the three-match ODI series against England. The Rohit Sharma-led side’s first match in the Champions Trophy is scheduled for February 20.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced a set of 10 guidelines, one of which mandates the participation of players in domestic matches whenever they are available.
Virat Kohli is a once-in-a-lifetime cricketer – Sourav Ganguly
Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has backed Kohli amid his recent troubles during the Australian tour. Speaking at an event in Kolkata, Ganguly described Kohli as a “once-in-a-lifetime cricketer” and the best white-ball player.
“Virat Kohli is a once-in-a-lifetime cricketer, like Jhulan, like Mithali. To score 80 hundreds in international cricket is incredible. To me, he is the greatest white-ball player the world has seen.”
Kohli had a disappointing outing in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which India lost 1-3. He scored just 190 runs in nine innings at an average of 23.75. His only notable contribution was an unbeaten stand in the second innings of the Perth Test, with no other notable performances in the series.
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