Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli has confirmed his participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy starting December 24.
It was revealed by DDCA president Rohan Jaitley to PTI that the India stalwart is available to play in the 50-over domestic competition for Delhi.
Currently engaged in the ODI series against South Africa, Kohli is set to return to the Hazare Trophy for the first time since February 2010 when he last played against Services. At 37, Kohli recently scored his 52nd century in the series opener at Ranchi, demonstrating his enduring form despite focusing solely on the ODI format after retiring from Test cricket earlier this year. Kohli also retired from T20 Internationals following India's 2024 World Cup victory in Barbados.
"He has confirmed
his availability to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. How many games he will feature in, that is not clear yet. Obviously, him being around will be a massive boost to the Delhi dressing room," Jaitley said.
Delhi will begin their campaign against Andhra in Bengaluru on December 24, playing a total of six matches. Kohli's presence is expected to draw large crowds, similar to earlier this year when over 12,000 spectators turned up for a Ranji Trophy match he played, an exceptional turnout for a domestic game. That match marked his first first-class game in more than 12 years and was seen as part of his preparation for international cricket before his surprise retirement from Tests ahead of the England tour.
The BCCI mandates that contracted players must participate in domestic cricket unless injured or on national duty. Rohit Sharma, who also retired from Tests before the England series, is anticipated to represent Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Both Kohli and Rohit performed well in the opening game of the series against South Africa in Ranchi. After a slow start during Australia's tour last month, Kohli found form with a half-century in the third ODI, while Rohit scored a century in the same Sydney match.
