NEW DELHI — Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) President Rohan Jaitley has confirmed that star batter Virat Kohli will represent Delhi in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, giving the team a major boost ahead of the domestic one-day tournament.
Speaking to IANS, Jaitley said, “Virat Kohli has confirmed his availability for the Vijay Hazare Trophy to us.”
Kohli, 37, recently struck a century in the opening ODI of India’s current three-match series against South Africa in Ranchi on November 30. His decision to return to domestic cricket comes after earlier reports suggested he might skip the competition. With his commitment now confirmed, Delhi can plan their campaign around one of India’s most seasoned and influential players.
The 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy will be held from December 24 to January 18. For Delhi, Kohli’s presence significantly strengthens a squad that has struggled for consistency in recent domestic white-ball tournaments. His experience is expected to bolster the batting lineup while providing leadership support to a largely young group.
Kohli’s last appearance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy came more than ten years ago. Between 2008 and 2010, he played 13 matches for Delhi, scoring 819 runs at an average of 68.25 and a strike rate of 106.08. His performance included four centuries and three half-centuries, with a top score of 124—numbers that reflect his early dominance in domestic one-day cricket before cementing his place in the national team.
Delhi’s teams have faced several setbacks in recent domestic competitions, suffering defeats to sides such as Jammu & Kashmir and Tripura. Kohli’s inclusion is seen as a timely lift for a setup aiming to rebuild its white-ball structure.
Kohli has retired from Test and T20I cricket and currently plays only the ODI format for India. He also continues to represent Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League. (Source: IANS)
