Virat Kohli is all set to make a comeback to the Vijay Hazare Trophy after a gap of more than 15 years. The upcoming edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy is scheduled to start on December 24 and will conclude on January 18.
According to a Cricbuzz report, Kohli has informed the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) of his availability. However, he is unlikely to play all of Delhi’s matches in the tournament. “Yes, that’s right. He has given his availability,” Rohan Jaitley, the DDCA president, said as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Kohli has played a total of 14 matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy so far and has scored 819 runs at an average of 68.25 and a strike rate of 106.08. He played his last game in the tournament on February 18, 2010. Kohli was the leading run-scorer in the tournament during the 2008-09 edition, when he made 534 runs in seven matches at an average of 89. Delhi are placed in Group D in the Elite category in the upcoming edition of the tournament.
Delhi’s Schedule in the Vijay Hazare Trophy
| Date | Time (IST) | vs | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, December 24 | 9:00 AM | Andhra | Alur Cricket Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Friday, December 26 | 9:00 AM | Gujarat | Alur Cricket Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Monday, December 29 | 9:00 AM | Saurashtra | Alur Cricket Stadium II, Bengaluru |
| Wednesday, December 31 | 9:00 AM | Odisha | Alur Cricket Stadium III, Bengaluru |
| Saturday, January 3 | 9:00 AM | Services | M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Tuesday, January 6 | 9:00 AM | Railways | Alur Cricket Stadium II, Bengaluru |
| Thursday, January 8 | 9:00 AM | Haryana | M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
The announcement from Kohli’s side comes at a time when it looked like he might not be available to play in the tournament. At the post-match presentation in the first match at Ranchi, whatever Kohli said was interpreted as if he might not adhere to the BCCI’s guidelines.
“I’ve never been a big believer of a lot of preparation, if that makes sense. All my cricket has been mental. As long as I feel mentally I can play the game, I work physically very hard every day of my life. It’s got nothing to do with cricket anymore. It’s the way I live,” Kohli had said at the post-match presentation after the first ODI.
BCCI’s current domestic cricket policy requires international cricketers to be available for domestic cricket. This view is largely influenced by head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. The duo has, on several occasions, made it clear that international players must make themselves available to their state teams when not on India duty.
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