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Updated 23:17 IST, January 20th 2025

Virat Kohli Signals Availability for Delhi's Upcoming Ranji Trophy Game vs Railways, Set For Domestic Return After 12 Years

After a 12-year hiatus, Virat Kohli will play in his 1st Ranji Trophy match. The India superstar is anticipated to play in Delhi's last league game.

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Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli | Image: AP

Virat Kohli has been under fire for his underwhelming run in Test Cricket lately. The India star failed to impress in four out of the five test matches in the Border Gavaskar Trophy series. Calls were being made for Kohli to return to domestic cricket and refine his skills from the ground level. Amid the criticism, it looks like Kohli looks to be back in action in the domestic circuit after a long gap.

Virat Kohli Hints At His Availability For a Domestic Return After 12 Years

Team India superstar Virat Kohli is set to compete in his first Ranji Trophy match after a long gap of 12 years. The modern-day cricketing great is expected to be in action against Delhi's final league match against Railways, which is scheduled to take place on January 30. Kohli could not play in Delhi's upcoming away match against Saurashtra, which begins in Rajkot on January 23, because of a neck sprain. But he has informed the DDCA that he will be available for the team's final Ranji Trophy league match.

"Virat has conveyed to DDCA president (Rohan Jaitley) and team management that he is available for the game against Railways," Delhi head coach Sarandeep Singh told PTI.

India's Virat Kohli walks onto the field ahead of play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground | Image: AP Photo

Also Read: Australia's Cricketers Retain Women's Ashes After Fourth Straight Win In The Series Against England

BCCI's Mandate Allowed Centrally-Contracted Stars To Feature In Domestics

After losing the Border Gavaskar Trophy series to Australia earlier this month, the BCCI has mandated that its contracted cricket players play domestic cricket unless they have a fitness concern. The final two rounds of the Ranji Trophy will be star-studded events because of the BCCI's strict mandate.

The strict mandate prompted India captain Rohit Sharma to confirm his availability for Mumbai's home match against Jammu and Kashmir. He made the announcement following the announcement of Team India's squad for the Champions Trophy on Saturday. Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ravindra Jadeja are among the other Indian stars who will play for their respective teams in the upcoming Ranji Trophy round.

The struggling India stars would be eager to be among the runs going into the ICC Champions Trophy next month. India's next Test match is against England in June. Before that, they would lock horns against the Three Lions in a white-ball series.

Also Read: Veteran Team India Star Likely To Miss Ranji Trophy Amid Injury Issues, Doubts On His Participation Looms

Published 22:38 IST, January 20th 2025