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Virat Kohli's fine run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 continued on Friday, even though the former India captain narrowly missed out on consecutive centuries. Batting against Gujarat at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Ground 1, in Bengaluru, Kohli scored an impressive 77 off 61 deliveries, playing a crucial role in stabilising Delhi's innings after early setbacks.
Kohli arrived at the crease far earlier than expected after opener Priyansh Arya was dismissed in the second over by experienced pacer CT Gaja. Wasting little time, the star batter stamped his authority on the contest, unfurling a series of crisp strokes to all parts of the ground.
His intent was evident from the outset as he surged past 30 at a strike rate close to 200, immediately
putting the Gujarat bowlers on the defensive.
The right-hander reached his half-century in just 29 balls, combining elegance with controlled aggression. While Kohli was in full flow, support from the other end was limited. Arpit Rana and Nitish Rana were unable to convert their starts, departing cheaply and leaving Delhi in a delicate position. With wickets tumbling around him, Kohli adjusted his approach, shifting from all-out attack to a more measured role, aware of the need to hold the innings together.
After crossing fifty, his scoring rate understandably dipped as he focused on anchoring Delhi's batting effort. Despite the change in tempo, Kohli continued to find boundaries when required, keeping the scoreboard moving under pressure. His innings eventually came to an end on 77, when he was dismissed by CT Gaja, bringing the curtains down on a knock that blended aggression with responsibility.
Kohli's stay at the crease was studded with 13 boundaries and a towering six. Although he fell short of another hundred, the innings further underlined his sharp form, coming on the heels of a commanding century against Andhra Pradesh in Delhi's opening game.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Kohli's long-time opening partner Rohit Sharma experienced a starkly different afternoon. After a sensational 155 against Sikkim in Mumbai's first match, Rohit was dismissed for a first-ball duck against Uttarakhand, highlighting the contrasting fortunes of India's two modern-day greats in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
