Virat Kohli has made himself available for selection for the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, the domestic 50-over competition. The Indian icon will be turning up for Delhi in the tournament as he remains determined to keep himself in contention for the ICC 2027 World Cup.
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Kohli has retired from Test cricket and T20Is and remains focused on playing only the ODI format.
However, with BCCI making it mandatory for contracted players to participate in domestic competitions when they are not on international duty may have forced his hand.
It is understood that Kohli will be available right from the onset when the tournament commences on December 24 in Ahmedabad.
"He will definitely play a few games, but not sure about the entire tournament," DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma told ESPNcricinfo. "It will depend upon his India matches too."
Delhi are set to play seven league matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with the last one to be played on January 8. They will be playing five of them in Alur, and two at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Kohli's regular stomping ground for his IPL team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
How many matches will Kohli play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy?
According to reports in the ANI, Kohli will play four of the seven matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
"So here is the final update: Virat will play 4 matches of Vijay Hazare, the number of matches he will play all shifts to Chinnaswamy, and no fans will allow that time due to security concerns, if any change in this plan will tell," ANI reporter Vipul Kashyap put out a tweet.
Kohli last appeared for Delhi in the ODI format back in 2013, during the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy. Whereas, it was in 2009-10, he played for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare trophy.
If he plays the first four matches, then he will be facing Andhra, Gujarat, Saurashtra and Odisha.
Moreover, it is reported that Rohit Sharma will also play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for the Mumbai Cricket Association.
What is Virat Kohli's record in the Vijay Hazare Trophy?
Kohli has a sensational record in the Vijay Hazare Trophy as he has scored 819 runs in 14 matches with a staggering average of 68.25. He boasts a strike rate of 106.08 and has four centuries and three 50s to his name.
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