India’s cricket icon Virat Kohli is set to return to the domestic stage after a 15-year hiatus, joining Delhi in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy. Scheduled to start on 24 December, this 50-over tournament will mark Kohli’s long-awaited domestic comeback. The DDCA has confirmed his participation, sparking excitement among fans.
The decision comes amid instructions from India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, who has emphasised the importance of domestic cricket for national team players. Earlier, Rohit Sharma had reportedly conveyed his interest to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy to BCCI selectors. Kohli, however, initially declined to participate.
According to NDTV sources, “Kohli doesn’t wish to play in the tournament, but if Rohit wants to, can exceptions be made for one player? What precedent does that set for others?”
At 37, Kohli now plays solely in ODIs for India, and the BCCI requires contracted players to compete in domestic competitions. DDCA Secretary Ashok Sharma told ESPNcricinfo, “He will participate in some matches. Whether he will play the entire tournament depends on India’s international fixtures.”
Kohli’s last Vijay Hazare Trophy appearance came during the 2009–10 season, before India hosted South Africa for a home ODI series. On 18 February 2010, he played his final match in the tournament. Across 14 matches, he has scored four centuries and three fifties, with an average of 68.25 and a strike rate of 106.08.
Delhi will face Gujarat, Services, Saurashtra, Odisha, Railways, Haryana, and Andhra in the ‘D’ group. Their opening match on 24 December will be against Andhra. With the ODI series against South Africa concluding on 6 December, Kohli has sufficient time to prepare. His last 50-over appearance for Delhi was in 2013 during the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy.