Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli is all set to make his Ranji Trophy comeback after 12 years, representing Delhi in their match against Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on January 30. This marks his first appearance in India’s premier domestic competition since 2012, adding excitement for cricket fans eager to witness his return to the red-ball format.
Delhi captain Ayush Badoni has confirmed that Kohli will bat at No. 4, a position he has excelled in throughout his career. With this match, Kohli joins the list of Indian cricket stalwarts, including Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant, who have also returned to the Ranji Trophy to regain form and match fitness.
Key Highlights:
Kohli’s Struggles in Australia Spark Domestic Comeback:
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Kohli’s return to domestic cricket comes after a challenging performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, where he managed just 190 runs in 9 innings. His repeated dismissals to deliveries outside the off-stump raised concerns about his form in Test cricket.
In an effort to fine-tune his technique and regain rhythm, Kohli has been training intensively with the Delhi squad, focusing on his backfoot play—a crucial skill for red-ball cricket. His participation in the Ranji Trophy is seen as a strategic move ahead of India’s upcoming Test assignments.
Kohli’s Last Ranji Trophy Match in 2012:
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Before this match, Kohli last played in the Ranji Trophy during the 2012-13 season, representing Delhi against Uttar Pradesh at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Ghaziabad. In that game, he scored 14 and 43 runs, but Delhi lost by six wickets.
Interestingly, Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Kohli in both innings, a reminder of how domestic cricket has always been a testing ground for even the biggest stars. That Delhi squad also featured Indian stalwarts like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Ishant Sharma, and Ashish Nehra, while the Uttar Pradesh team included names like Mohammed Kaif, Suresh Raina, and Praveen Kumar.
The Significance of Kohli’s Domestic Cricket Comeback:
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Kohli’s decision to play in the Ranji Trophy aligns with a broader trend where senior Indian cricketers return to domestic cricket to fine-tune their game. Recently, players like Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Ravindra Jadeja have played for their respective state teams to ensure they stay in the best shape for international assignments.
For Delhi, Kohli’s presence will be a massive morale boost, not just for the players but also for fans, who will be eager to see the cricketing icon regain his vintage form.
A Much-Awaited Return for Virat Kohli:
Virat Kohli’s return to Ranji Trophy cricket after 12 years is one of the biggest talking points in Indian cricket. With Delhi set to take on Railways on January 30, all eyes will be on Kohli as he looks to rediscover his Test match rhythm.
Can Kohli’s Ranji Trophy comeback mark the beginning of a return to his best in red-ball cricket? Fans will be eagerly watching as he takes center stage once again.
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