Virat Kohli has officially informed the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) that he will be available for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, beginning December 24. DDCA president Rohan Jaitley confirmed the development to Sportstar, saying, “He has confirmed his availability to us, and we look forward to him playing for Delhi.”
The clarification ends earlier speculation that the former India captain might skip the tournament due to workload considerations. Instead, Kohli personally contacted DDCA officials to confirm that he would participate in the group stage of India’s premier domestic 50-over competition. Delhi is set to begin its campaign on the opening day against Andhra Pradesh in Alur.
However, it remains uncertain whether Kohli will feature in all seven group matches. With India scheduled to play a three-match ODI series against New Zealand beginning January 11, the star batter is expected to join the national camp a few days beforehand. This scenario could see him playing four to five matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, though, according to sources, no final decision has been made yet.
Delhi finds itself placed in a competitive group, featuring Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Saurashtra, Odisha, Services, Railways, and Haryana. Kohli’s presence — especially considering he last played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy back in 2010 — will be a significant boost to the team’s prospects as they navigate a challenging campaign.
His decision also aligns with the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s directive issued earlier this year, requiring all contracted players to participate in domestic competitions to remain eligible for international selection. In compliance with the rule, both Kohli and Rohit Sharma featured in a Ranji Trophy game earlier this year, turning out for Delhi and Mumbai respectively.
With both senior players expressing a desire to continue until the 2027 ODI World Cup, regular participation in domestic tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy has become essential. While Kohli’s participation is confirmed, Rohit is also expected to play for Mumbai, although an official announcement is still awaited.
For Delhi, Kohli’s availability provides not just star power but also invaluable experience as they look to navigate a tough group and mount a strong challenge in the tournament. His return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy after 14 years marks one of the most anticipated appearances of this year’s domestic season.
