 "Ranji Trophy: Virat Kohli to play first domestic match in 12 years after confirming participation in Delhi-Railways game")
After initially expressing reluctance due to a neck injury , Indian batting star Virat Kohli is set to make his first appearance in domestic cricket in 12 years by making himself available for Delhi’s final group-stage match of the ongoing Ranji Trophy against Railways starting 30 January. Kohli joins a host of players making themselves available for India's premier domestic event in the wake of the BCCI’s latest diktat making it compulsory for Indian cricketers to participate in domestic cricket.
“Virat has conveyed to DDCA president (Rohan Jaitley) and team management that he is available for the game against Railways,” Delhi head coach Sarandeep Singh told PTI.
Kohli’s last appearance in any domestic event was in November 2012 during Delhi’s Ranji fixture against Uttar Pradesh in Ghaziabad, which UP ended up winning by six wickets. Besides Kohli, who had scored 14 and 43 in the game, the match had also featured current India head coach Gautam Gambhir and pacers Ashish Nehra and Ishant Sharma – the latter still an active cricketer – with legendary opener Virender Sehwag leading the team.
India captain Rohit Sharma will be playing under long-time teammate Ajinkya Rahane’s leadership in Mumbai’s upcoming Ranji Trophy fixture against Jammu and Kashmir, with opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal also confirming his availability.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAs for the Delhi team, Rishabh Pant has confirmed his participation for their next game – against Saurashtra in Rajkot – though it remains to be seen if he will be playing alongside Kohli in the match against Railways in the final round of group fixtures before the knockouts get underway. The Saurashtra-Delhi tie will also feature senior spin-bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who will be representing the home team.
Top-order batter Shubman Gill, who has been appointed vice-captain of India’s ODI squads for the upcoming three-match series against England as well as the ICC Champions Trophy, will be playing Punjab’s upcoming match against Karnataka. However, wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul will give the game a miss due to an elbow issue.
The BCCI had published a set of new rules for the Indian team and support staff in the aftermath of their disastrous Test performances against New Zealand (home) and Australia (away).
Besides making participation in domestic cricket compulsory for players to be eligible for selection and central contract, the BCCI also banned private travel by certain star players while also restricting the amount of time, wives, girlfriends and children can spend with a player during an overseas tour in a bid to improve team culture.
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
