Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Virat Kohli To Join Delhi Ranji Squad, Participation Depends On His ‘Availability’: DDCA

January 17, 2025: Virat Kohli has been included in the Delhi squad for their upcoming Ranji Trophy matches, although his participation will depend on his availability. Sources within the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) have stated that while Kohli is unlikely to play in the first match against Saurashtra starting January 23 in Rajkot, he could join the squad for the second match against Railways, which begins on January 30.

This news comes amid the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) introducing a new policy that mandates the participation of Indian international players in domestic cricket to remain eligible for national team selection and central contracts. The policy, released by BCCI, states that players must be involved in domestic cricket to stay connected to the cricketing ecosystem and maintain match fitness. Any exceptions to this rule will be considered only under extraordinary circumstances.

The inclusion of international stars in domestic cricket has become a topic of increasing importance, especially after India’s disappointing performance in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where they lost 3-1 to Australia and missed out on qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final. This defeat, coupled with India’s earlier 0-3 whitewash by New Zealand at home, has sparked debates on the necessity of international players participating in domestic cricket.

Virat Kohli 1
Virat Kohli To Join Delhi Ranji Squad, Participation Depends On His 'Availability': DDCA 2

Kohli’s participation in Ranji Trophy would be his first appearance in the competition since 2012. His last Ranji match was against Uttar Pradesh in November 2012, where he scored 14 and 42 runs. In 155 first-class matches, Kohli has scored 11,479 runs at an average of 48.23, including 37 centuries and 39 fifties, with a best score of 254*.

If Kohli plays, it will not only provide a boost to Delhi’s campaign, as they are currently in fourth place in their group, but it could also help Kohli regain form. His performances in 2024 have been under scrutiny, especially in Test cricket, where he scored just 417 runs in 10 matches at an average of 24.52. His overall performance across formats in 2024 was disappointing, as he accumulated just 655 runs in 32 innings with a 21.83 average, featuring only one century and two half-centuries.

Kohli’s return to domestic cricket could play a crucial role in his quest to overcome his recent form slump and help him get back to peak performance as he prepares for future international challenges.

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