3 CSK bowlers who can dismiss Virat Kohli in Ranji Trophy

It’s been more than 12 years since Virat Kohli played for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy. The right-handed batter has been in terrible form recently, and the Indian team management and selectors have made it clear that they want their players to play domestic cricket whenever possible.

Kohli has been averaging in the 20s in Test cricket since 2023 and also had a poor Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, constantly nicking outside off deliveries to the wicketkeeper or the slip cordon. 

Delhi have at least two more games remaining in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 and Kohli’s schedule is free at least till February 6 (three ODIs vs England). However, the 36-year-old has given no update regarding his availability for the two fixtures against Saurashtra and Railways.

Kohli, who plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), might not make himself available for these two games, but imagine the battles we would get to witness if and when he ever features in the Ranji Trophy. 

We have seen RCB play many thrilling encounters against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL, so here are three bowlers from the team in yellow who could dismiss him in the Ranji Trophy. 

RAVINDRA JADEJA

Alright, let’s start with the most obvious one. We have seen Kohli struggle against left-arm spinners many times in the past, and Ravindra Jadeja could give him a tough time. Kohli has gotten out to left-arm spinners on 12 occasions since 2021 in Test cricket. Even in the IPL, Jadeja has dismissed Kohli three times.

If there’s even a bit of turn on offer, Saurashtra’s Jadeja could make Kohli dance to his tune. There’s a chance we could get to see this battle next week, that’s if Kohli and Jadeja make themselves available for the fixture. 

ANSHUL KAMBOJ

Anshul Kamboj is exactly the type of bowler Kohli doesn’t enjoy facing in Test cricket. All of his eight dismissals in Australia came edging an outside off delivery behind the stumps, and that’s exactly how Kamboj could target him. 

The 24-year-old seamer from Haryana, who is one of the three bowlers to take all 10 wickets in an innings in the Ranji Trophy, can move the ball both ways and has been in insane wicket-taking form in red-ball cricket. In 13 first-class games since 2024, Kamboj has claimed 50 wickets @ 17.2. The right-armer has all the ingredients to expose Kohli’s well-known weakness.

MUKESH CHOUDHARY

There’s another delivery Kohli has often struggled against in the past - an inswinging delivery onto the pads from a left-arm pacer, something Maharastra’s Mukesh Choudhary is pretty good at. We have seen Trent Boult and Mitchell Starc trouble Kohli on certain occasions and if Choudhary gets his line and length right, the left-armer could get the better of Kohli.

And guess what, Choudhary has already dismissed Kohli once in the IPL. Nine deliveries, five runs and one dismissal - the CSK seamer has what it takes to dismiss Kohli.