While reports on Tuesday, December 2, claimed that Virat Kohli would skip the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) stated that he will be eligible for selection.
The former India captain will participate in the 50-over competition for the first time since 2010. Ashok Sharma, DDCA secretary, confirmed the development on Tuesday.
“Virat Kohli informed DDCA president Rohan Jaitley that he will play VHT,” DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma told India Today, putting an end to weeks of doubt about his participation.
Delhi’s Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign begins on December 24 against Andhra Pradesh, a match that is likely to draw more fans than typical for a local 50-over game. Kohli, who last appeared in the competition against Services in February 2010, has not played a List A game for Delhi since the 2013 NKP Salve Challenger Trophy. His return coincides with the BCCI’s requirement that centrally contracted players make domestic appearances when they are not injured or on national service.
Delhi will play its group-stage matches in Alur and at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Virat Kohli has become one of Bengaluru’s most popular adopted sons because he has contributed enormously to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) over the years. He topped the IPL 2025 scoring chart for RCB and helped the franchise capture its first title in the cash-rich league.
Delhi, led by Nitish Rana in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, has won two of its four matches so far. Kohli’s addition to the one-day event gives the squad both experience and star power as they aim to go the distance.
Kohli is currently playing in India’s three-match ODI series against South Africa. On Sunday, November 30, the right-handed batter scored his 52nd ODI ton and gave the Men in Blue a 1–0 series lead. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma, who struck a crucial half-century against the Proteas, now prepares to represent Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
