Cricket fans across India are in for a special treat as modern-day legend Virat Kohli makes a much-anticipated return to domestic List A cricket. The star batter has been named in the Delhi squad for their opening fixtures in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, marking his first appearance in the tournament in ten years. His comeback is set to begin with Delhi's clash against Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, December 24.
Kohli's Domestic Comeback: The Context and Significance
This return to the domestic fold follows a clear directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), mandating players to participate in domestic cricket when not on national duty. For Kohli, who has retired from Tests and T20Is, this tournament provides crucial match practice ahead of India's upcoming ODI series against New Zealand in January 2026. He enters the competition in scintillating form, having been India's top ODI run-scorer in 2025 with 651 runs, including two back-to-back centuries against Australia and South Africa.
His last outing in domestic cricket was a Ranji Trophy match against Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium earlier in 2025. The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) confirmed that Kohli will be available for the first two matches of Delhi's campaign, which will be led by wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant.
Match Details: When and Where to Watch
The spotlight will be firmly on the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday, December 24, when Delhi takes on Andhra Pradesh in their tournament opener. The match is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM IST.
For fans eager to catch the action, Star Sports networks will telecast the match live on television. The live streaming of the Delhi vs Andhra Pradesh encounter will be available on the JioStar app and its official website.
Delhi's Squad: A Blend of Youth and Experience
Delhi's squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy presents a formidable mix, significantly bolstered by Kohli's inclusion. Under Pant's captaincy, the team features seasoned campaigners and exciting young talent.
The pace attack looks strong with the experience of Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini. All-rounder Nitish Rana and the dynamic Ayush Badoni, who is also the vice-captain, add depth to the batting. Youngster Sarthak Ranjan, recently picked by Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL auction, has also earned a spot.
The squad will further be strengthened by the arrival of pacer Harshit Rana, currently with the Indian T20I team in South Africa, once he is released. The full squad is a testament to Delhi's ambitions for the trophy.
Kohli's return is more than just a boost for Delhi; it's a major event for domestic cricket, highlighting its importance and offering fans a rare chance to see a global superstar in action on the home circuit. All eyes will be on Bengaluru to see if he can translate his international form into another dominant domestic performance.
