Follow UsVirat Kohli looks all set to return to the Ranji Trophy for the first time in 13 years. The senior India batter was seen practising hard with former India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) coach Sanjay Bangar in Mumbai. The video of Kohli’s training session went viral on the internet.
While Delhi are almost out of consideration for the knockout phase of Ranji Trophy 2024-25, they still have an outside chance if they win by bonus points against Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi and certain results go their way.
Virat Kohli is working so hard away from crowds with ex batting coach of India..... he is preparing hard for Ranji match & Champions Trophy.....
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) January 25, 2025
His close source said he is aiming not just for champions trophy but for ODI WC 2027 & WTC Final 2027❤️❤️pic.twitter.com/iZGGLijyUZ
Kohli, who last played the prestigious first-class tournament in 2012, is in dire need of runs, having had below-average last five years in red-ball cricket. Before the three ODIs against England and the Champions Trophy in Dubai, this is an ideal opportunity for the 36-year-old to gain some confidence.
The man with more than 9000 Test runs under his belt, has so far played 23 Ranji Trophy games and scored 1574 runs at an average of 50.77. His last outing was against Uttar Pradesh at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in Ghaziabad.
At the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Kohli has scored 496 runs in eight Ranji Trophy games at an average of 49.6. He missed Delhi’s last game against Saurashtra because of a neck sprain. But Rishabh Pant did play the game. However, Delhi still lost it by 10 wickets.