 "Virat Kohli is set to make his Ranji Trophy comeback in 13 years. PTI")
Virat Kohli is set to return to the Ranji Trophy after a 13-year hiatus. The former India captain will take the field for Delhi in the final round of the group stage, where they face Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium from Thursday (30 January). This marks Kohli’s first appearance in the prestigious domestic tournament since 2012 .
Kohli’s return comes after other prominent Indian cricketers like Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal made their respective comebacks to the domestic circuit after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made domestic cricket participation mandatory for centrally-contracted players.
Kohli’s record in Ranji Trophy
Kohli’s journey in domestic cricket began in the 2006-07 season , and his numbers in the Ranji Trophy are impressive. Below is a breakdown of his performances:
| Season | Matches | Runs | Centuries | Fifties | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-07 | 6 | 257 | 0 | 1 | 90 |
| 2007-08 | 5 | 373 | 2 | 0 | 169 |
| 2008-09 | 4 | 174 | 0 | 2 | 83 |
| 2009-10 | 3 | 374 | 1 | 2 | 145 |
| 2010-11 | 4 | 339 | 2 | 0 | 173 |
| 2012-13 | 1 | 57 | 0 | 0 | 43 |
Memorable matches for Kohli
Virat Kohli made his Ranji debut in the 2006-07 season, playing against Karnataka. Batting at No. 5, he scored 10 off 25 balls before being caught behind.
Perhaps one of the most memorable and emotional moments of Kohli’s early career came during the 2006-07 season when he played against Karnataka just hours after the death of his father, Prem. Despite the personal tragedy, Kohli chose to continue playing, returning to the crease to resume his innings. He had been unbeaten on 40 when he received the heartbreaking news. Kohli’s knock helped Delhi fight back from a dire position, contributing to a 152-run partnership with Punit Bisht as Delhi managed to draw the game.
As Kohli makes his return to the Ranji Trophy, fans will be looking forward to seeing him score some runs for his beloved domestic side. After the solitary Ranji Trophy appearance, Kohli is expected to join the Indian ODI team for a three-match series against England. The series is part of India’s preparations for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to start on 19 February.