Ranji Trophy 2025: Virat Kohli to feature in domestic tournament for first time in 13 years

After struggling with his batting form with Team India for the last few months, it has been learnt that veteran batsman Virat Kohli has been included in the Delhi team ahead of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match against Saurashtra to be played on January 23.

Kohli has been named in Delhi’s 22-member provisional squad for their next match but doubts remain about his participation after it came to light that he is nursing a niggle.

It is learnt that Kohli has intimated the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) top brass that he has a neck niggle that he sustained in Sydney during the final Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia.

He was treated by the physio there and as of now, there is no clarity on availability for the Ranji match starting January 23.

Whether he will play or just fly down to Rajkot for a couple of days’ training will be clear only after he details his position to DDCA president Rohan Jaitley.

Kohli had last played a red-ball game for Delhi back in 2012 against Uttar Pradesh in Ghaziabad. A year after that, the legendary Sachin Tendulkar played his last Ranji Trophy match against Haryana at Lahli.

Talismanic wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will feature in a Ranji Trophy game after nearly seven years although it has been learnt that he has declined captaincy, which means Ayush Badoni will continue in the role.

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The BCCI has made it mandatory for all centrally-contracted cricketers to play domestic cricket unless there is some compelling reason to skip the assignment.

The Board has warned that non-compliance would invite sanctions, including deductions from central contract retainer and ban on playing in the Indian Premier League.

Among the big names already confirmed for upcoming Ranji game is Yashasvi Jaiswal, who will turn up for Mumbai, and Shubman Gill who will represent Punjab in the next round.