Virat Kohli set for homecoming: A last dance in Ranji Trophy in a bid to revive his red-ball performance

For more than two decades, Virat Kohli was the face of Delhi cricket. His rise through the ranks of the domestic circuit, his fiery temperament, and his dominance with the bat made him a household name in the capital. But as his international career soared, so did his personal life, and he eventually left the city to live in Mumbai with his wife, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma. His family (mother and brother) now resides in Gurgaon, marking a departure from the city where his cricketing journey began.

‘Delhi ka ladka’ Kohli returns home after 13 years

Despite moving away from Delhi, cricket has a way of pulling you back when needed most. After a tough year with the Indian team, especially in Test cricket, Kohli has decided to return to where it all started. The upcoming Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Railways, scheduled to begin on Thursday (30 January) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, will be his long-awaited return to domestic cricket after 13 years. This is significant as Kohli has only played one domestic game since his Test debut, and in total, he has played 23 Ranji Trophy matches.

This return is more than just about nostalgia. Kohli’s decision to play in this final group match shows the phase of his career he is in. After a series of disappointing performances in Test cricket, he faces increasing pressure to regain the form that once made him one of the world’s most feared batters. His struggles in Test cricket, along with the need for more match practice, have pushed him to come back to the domestic scene.

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Kohli’s early years in Delhi cricket were filled with grit and determination. He even played in a match on the day his father passed away, choosing to finish his innings from overnight before attending the funeral. Kohli played alongside some of Delhi’s finest, including Gautam Gambhir, Aakash Chopra, Shikhar Dhawan, and Ishant Sharma. Those formative years in the Ranji Trophy were where Kohli built his reputation as a batter with immense potential. His performances in those early years laid the foundation for what would later become a stellar international career.

But as his success on the global stage grew, so did his ties to Delhi begin to loosen. His move to Mumbai and his eventual shift in focus to captain India meant that Delhi, for all its significance, was no longer his home. The rajma chawals and chole bhatures he once enjoyed on the streets were no longer a regular part of his diet. This ‘Delhi ka ladka’ had transformed into a global superstar, now compelled to return home for one last dance.

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Can Kohli regain form with just one game?

Kohli’s return to the Ranji Trophy, after such a long absence, is significant not only for him but for Delhi cricket as well. As a former Indian captain and a key figure in Indian cricket’s evolution, his presence in the domestic circuit will bring more attention to the tournament and add importance to this group-stage match.

Kohli’s need to return to the Ranji Trophy became clear after his struggles with the Indian team in the red-ball format. His recent lean patch in Tests, especially after stepping down as captain, has made it clear that he needs to recalibrate his game. The pressures of international cricket are enormous, but the Ranji Trophy offers Kohli a platform to rebuild his confidence, work on his technique, and make the necessary adjustments to his game.

Playing just one domestic match is unlikely to deliver the results that the BCCI, Indian selectors, coach, captain, and Kohli himself are hoping for. Kohli’s batting struggles were evident during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where, aside from a single century, he had a largely disappointing series. It will be intriguing to see how he performs in his first Ranji Trophy match in 13 years, which could also likely be his last.