Virat Kohli Set to Play Ranji Trophy Match for Delhi Against Railways
Just days after the BCCI introduced new guidelines mandating domestic tournament participation for contracted players, Virat Kohli has confirmed his availability for Delhi’s final Ranji Trophy league match against Railways. Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) President Rohan Jaitley stated that Kohli will feature in the match, scheduled to be played in the Capital from January 30. If he takes the field, it will mark his first Ranji Trophy appearance since November 2012.
Following consecutive Test series defeats to New Zealand at home and Australia away, concerns have been raised about Indian regulars opting out of domestic first-class matches. Ahead of the Test season, Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja had skipped the Duleep Trophy. However, in last Thursday’s review meeting, ensuring player participation in domestic tournaments emerged as a key recommendation. As a result, Rohit, Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, and Shubman Gill have confirmed their availability for the sixth round of Ranji fixtures beginning Thursday.
There was initial uncertainty over whether Kohli would play against Saurashtra in Rajkot, a crucial fixture for Delhi. However, the 36-year-old is now certain to participate in the seventh and final league match against Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. “As far as I know, Kohli is available for the game against Railways,” confirmed Delhi coach Sarandeep Singh.
Since becoming a regular in India’s Test squad, Kohli has not played a single Ranji Trophy match for Delhi. His last appearance came during the 2012/13 season against Uttar Pradesh in Ghaziabad, just before the Test series against England. That match, where he scored 14 and 43 in a losing cause, remains his only Ranji outing since making his Test debut in 2011.
Last Thursday, the BCCI issued a directive to all contracted players, stating:
“Participation in domestic matches is mandatory for players to remain eligible for selection in the national team and for central contracts. Any exceptions to this mandate will be considered only under extraordinary circumstances and will require formal notification and approval from the Chairman of the Selection Committee, ensuring fairness and transparency in the process.”
For Delhi, having both Pant and Kohli available will be a significant boost as the race for the knockout stage intensifies. After five rounds concluded in mid-November, Delhi sit fourth in Group D, trailing Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, and Railways. With Tamil Nadu facing Chandigarh in the sixth round, Delhi’s match against Saurashtra is crucial—securing at least three points or a win would make their clash against Railways even more vital, as a victory there could secure them a quarterfinal spot.
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