Virat Kohli Set to Make Ranji Trophy Comeback After Over a Decade

Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli is set to play his first Ranji Trophy match since 2012. Kohli will represent Delhi in their final league match against Railways, scheduled from January 30. While a neck sprain ruled him out of Delhi's away game against Saurashtra starting January 23 in Rajkot, Kohli has communicated his availability for the home clash, confirmed by Delhi head coach Sarandeep Singh.

This return follows the BCCI's directive making domestic cricket mandatory for contracted players, barring fitness issues, after India’s series loss in Australia. Kohli's last Ranji appearance was in November 2012 against Uttar Pradesh in Ghaziabad.

The directive ensures star-studded action in the final rounds of the Ranji Trophy. Kohli’s teammate Rishabh Pant will also return to red-ball cricket after six years, joining Kohli for the Railways game. Other Indian cricket stars, including Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ravindra Jadeja, are also slated to participate in the upcoming matches.

This decision aligns with the growing demand for India's top players to participate in domestic cricket following consecutive Test series losses, including the 1-3 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. With the Champions Trophy on the horizon, Kohli and Rohit aim to regain form ahead of India’s Test against England in June.

Stay tuned as India’s cricketing greats return to the domestic stage to dazzle their fans!