In a significant boost to Delhi's campaign, star Indian batter Virat Kohli is confirmed to play his third Vijay Hazare Trophy match. He will feature for Delhi against Railways on January 6 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Kohli Goes Beyond Mandate for Match Practice
Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) president Rohan Jaitley confirmed the development. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) requires its centrally contracted players to appear in a minimum of two domestic games, Kohli has voluntarily opted for a third. This decision is part of his focused preparation for the upcoming home One-Day International series against New Zealand.
"As of now, he is playing. Virat has given his availability for three games," Jaitley stated.
Record-Breaking Form in Domestic Circuit
Kohli has been in scintillating touch in his first two appearances for Delhi in the tournament. He scored a commanding 131 runs in his first match, followed by a fluent 77 in the second. It was during this second innings that he carved his name into the history books.
Kohli became the fastest batter ever to reach the milestone of 16,000 List A runs. He achieved this feat in his 330th innings, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who had taken 391 innings to reach the same landmark.
Early Assembly for National Duty?
According to sources within the BCCI, the Indian ODI squad for the New Zealand series is scheduled to gather in Vadodara by January 8. However, there is a possibility that the prolific batsman might report a day earlier to commence his training with the national team. The three-match ODI series against the Black Caps is set to begin on January 11 at the same venue in Vadodara.
In related team news, as part of a carefully managed workload plan, senior all-rounder Hardik Pandya and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will be rested for the ODI series. The decision, guided by the sports science team, aims to keep them fresh for the ICC T20 World Cup, which India will host starting February 7, where both players are expected to be key figures.
Kohli's active participation in domestic cricket underscores his commitment to maintaining peak form and sets a strong precedent for the Indian team's preparations ahead of a crucial year.
