Virat Kohli: The King Returns After 13 Years, Will Play Against This Team in Ranji Trophy

Virat Kohli is set to play a Ranji Trophy match after 13 years. He has confirmed his participation in the match between Delhi and Railways on January 30. According to Delhi coach Sarandeep Singh, Virat informed DDCA president Rohan Jaitley and the team management about his availability for the match against Railways. However, he will not be playing in the match against Saurashtra on January 23.

The Indian Superstar played his last Ranji Trophy match in 2012 against Uttar Pradesh in Ghaziabad. Recently, the DDCA included Virat’s name in the 22-member preliminary squad. Along with him, Rishabh Pant was also included in the team and has agreed to play the match against Saurashtra.

Will Be Available for the Final Match

Kohli will skip Delhi’s upcoming match against Saurashtra, starting on January 23 in Rajkot, due to a neck sprain. However, he has informed the DDCA that he will be available for the team’s final league match of the Ranji Trophy against Railways. Delhi’s head coach, Sarandeep Singh, confirmed, “Virat has informed the DDCA president and the team management about his availability for the match against Railways.”

🗓️ January 30th.
🏆 Opposition is Railways.
🏟️ Arun Jaitley stadium.

VIRAT KOHLI RETURNS TO RANJI TROPHY…!!!! 👊 pic.twitter.com/6ttdjGFvTe

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 20, 2025

Kohli May Play Alongside Pant

Kohli last played a Ranji Trophy match in November 2012, and this season, he might take the field with Rishabh Pant. Pant will play his first Ranji match in six years, starting with the game against Saurashtra. He is also expected to join Kohli in the Railways match.

The last time Virat Kohli featured in the Ranji Trophy, it was quite a significant occasion 🗓️ 📸

(1/14) pic.twitter.com/9adlVx60gg

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 21, 2025

Rohit Sharma to Play Ranji Match

India captain Rohit Sharma has also confirmed his availability for Mumbai’s match against Jammu and Kashmir, which is scheduled to be held on home ground. Other Indian stars like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ravindra Jadeja will feature for their respective teams in the upcoming round of the Ranji Trophy.

Played Under Sehwag’s Captaincy in 2012

Kohli’s last domestic cricket appearance was from November 2–5, 2012, in a Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Playing under the captaincy of Virender Sehwag, Kohli scored 14 runs in the first innings and 43 runs in the second. Uttar Pradesh won the match by six wickets.