New Delhi: Cricket fans in the capital will be treated to a special sight as Virat Kohli is set to play his first Ranji Trophy match in 12 years, leading Delhi’s charge against Railways in their final Group D clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium starting Thursday.
Kohli’s Last Ranji Trophy Appearance
Kohli last played a Ranji Trophy match in 2012 against Uttar Pradesh in Ghaziabad, at a time when domestic cricket had a lower profile and social media was in its infancy. Now, following the BCCI’s directive for top players to participate in domestic cricket, he returns to Delhi’s lineup.
After missing the Rajkot game due to a neck spasm, Kohli’s comeback holds significant importance, both for Delhi’s knockout hopes and his own form-building ahead of upcoming ODI assignments.
Delhi’s Slim Knockout Hopes
Delhi is currently sixth in Group D, with only a mathematical chance of qualifying for the Ranji Trophy knockouts. Their fate depends on securing an outright win and hoping for other results to go in their favor.
Kohli’s Form and the Challenge Ahead
Having struggled outside off-stump in India’s 3-1 Test series defeat in Australia, barring his Perth century, Kohli has been working with former India and RCB batting coach Sanjay Bangar to refine his game. Now, playing on a green pitch, as per Delhi captain Ayush Badoni, will test his adaptability before he returns to international cricket.
Delhi’s Recent Struggles and Railways’ Path to Knockouts
- Delhi’s batting collapsed in Rajkot, losing all 10 wickets in a session.
- Spin attack struggled, especially against Ravindra Jadeja-led Saurashtra.
- Railways, currently fourth, can qualify directly if they win outright or secure bonus points and Chandigarh & Saurashtra lose.
Key Players to Watch
For Delhi:
- Virat Kohli – All eyes on his return to domestic cricket.
- Ayush Badoni (captain) – Will look to lead from the front.
- Navdeep Saini – Experienced pacer to test Railways’ batting.
For Railways:
- Karn Sharma – Veteran spinner, played alongside Kohli at RCB.
- Himanshu Sangwan – Former Delhi pacer eager to prove himself.
- Upendra Yadav & Vivek Singh – Key batters for a strong total.
Match Conditions
- Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
- Weather: Sunny, chilly mornings
- Pitch: Green, likely to assist pacers early on
With Kohli’s presence, the Ranji Trophy fixture is set to attract massive fan interest, making it one of the most anticipated domestic cricket matches in recent memory.
