Virat Kohli’s return to the Ranji Trophy has sparked immense excitement in the Delhi squad, according to captain Ayush Badoni, who praised the positive impact of the veteran batter’s presence. Badoni shared, “Everyone is thrilled and highly motivated to have him on the team. His presence brings a unique energy and makes the atmosphere much livelier.”
Kohli’s return to the Delhi squad marks a special moment, as the 36-year-old prepares for his first Ranji Trophy match in 12 years at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. This is the same stadium where Kohli made his first-class debut in November 2006, scoring a modest 10 runs. Since then, he has become a global cricket icon, amassing over 9,000 Test runs, 30 centuries, and multiple records.
Delhi is currently in sixth place in Group D, with a win, two losses, and three draws. Their previous match saw them fall to Saurashtra by 10 wickets, despite a stellar performance by India’s Ravindra Jadeja.
Kohli’s last Ranji appearance was in November 2012, where he scored 14 and 42 against Uttar Pradesh. His first Ranji season in 2006/07 saw him score 257 runs in six matches at an average of 36.71. Over the years, his Ranji performances have been solid, with his best seasons being 2009/10 and 2010/11, where he scored over 300 runs each season.
Kohli has accumulated 1,573 runs in 23 Ranji matches, averaging 50.77 with five centuries and six fifties. Fans will be hoping his return brings him closer to his peak form in Test cricket after a recent decline in performance since 2020.
In his past 39 Tests since 2020, Kohli has struggled to maintain his stellar form, averaging 30.72 with just three centuries. His 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle concluded with 751 runs at an average of 32.65. Kohli’s 2023 Test performances were particularly underwhelming, with only 417 runs in 10 matches. Despite the setbacks, fans are eager to see if this return to domestic cricket can help him rediscover his form.