Will Virat Kohli Play Domestic Cricket This Season? 'There Is No Question...'

Delhi & District Cricket Association president Rohan Jaitley has said that the state board is always open to ace Indian cricketer Virat Kohli coming and playing for his home team, adding that if he can manage his workload and international commitments, Kohli will definitely be available to play domestic cricket in the ongoing season.

Kohli made a much-anticipated return to India’s premier 50-over domestic tournament, the Vijay Hazare Trophy, last year, smashing a dominant 131 off 101 deliveries for Delhi in a successful chase against Andhra.

After BCCI’s requirement for contracted players to play domestic cricket when available came to light, DDCA officials confirmed last year that Kohli remained in line to feature in further white-ball games

for Delhi during domestic windows.

The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2026-27 begins on December 14 but with a three-match ODI series scheduled between India and Sri Lanka from December 13-19, it is highly unlikely Kohli will turn up for the domestic tournament.

“This is his home association. There is no question of us being open. This state is as much his as it belongs to me. And his commitment to play for the state is impeccable,” Jaitley said while speaking to India Today. 

“Whenever available, keeping his international commitments and workload management in mind, he definitely and certainly will play for the state again,” Jaitley added.

Kohli is all set to return to action in the three-match ODI series against West Indies from Sunday, September 27, before travelling to New Zealand for a five-match ODI series in November.

India will then host Sri Lanka for three ODIs in December, making Kohli’s availability for domestic cricket all the more significant. He played in the Ranji Trophy for Delhi for the first time in 13 years in 2025, just months before announcing his retirement from Tests.

Later that year, Kohli returned to feature in two Vijay Hazare Trophy games for the state.