Virat Kohli to Return to Ranji Trophy After 12 Years for Delhi’s Game Starting January 30 

Star Indian batsman Virat Kohli will play in the Ranji Trophy for the first time in 12 years. It is set to help Delhi in the last round of the group stage, which starts on January 30 and ends on February 2. The team’s opponent will be Railways.

Return Expected Earlier 

Kohli was expected to play as early as the penultimate round of the group stage, which will kick off on January 23 in Rajkot, where Delhi plays Saurashtra. However, the player told the BCCI medical staff that he is still recovering from neck pain. On January 8, Virat was given an injection. Due to the recovery, his return to the Ranji Trophy was delayed by a few days. 

Loaded Match Schedule 

There is no word yet on whether Kohli has informed the Indian coaching staff and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar of his intentions to play in the Ranji Trophy. The national team will play the first of three ODI matches against England on February 6, four days after the Ranji Trophy group stage ends. On February 20, India will play the first Champions Trophy match. Virat has been included in the roster for both tournaments. 

New Strict Rules 

It may be recalled that new rules were recently introduced for Indian players to improve their concentration and the team’s performance after a series of failures in Test cricket. These rules included, for example, the obligation of players to travel together on the team bus. The document also spelled out the mandatory participation of centrally contracted players in domestic cricket. The BCCI has emphasized that opting out (unless the player is otherwise engaged) can only be done with the prior permission of the head of the selection panel.