He scored the most runs for Delhi in both matches so far.
Batting stalwart Virat Kohli will now feature in at least one more match of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025-26 for Delhi before joining the India ODI squad ahead of the New Zealand series, starting January 11. Notably, Kohli was initially scheduled to play only two games of India’s premier 50-over tournament.
After dominating the first two games, Virat Kohli will now be available for Delhi’s VHT 2025-26 fixture against Railways in Alur on January 6. He was however absent from Delhi’s third group-stage match against Saurashtra today (December 29).
Confirming the development, Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) president Rohan Jaitley told PTI, “As of now, he is playing. Virat have given his availability for three games.”
Virat Kohli made his Vijay Hazare Trophy return after 15 years, following the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) making it mandatory for centrally contracted players (if fit and not on national duty) to turn up for the State team and feature in at least two matches of the domestic 50-over tournament.
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Despite matches being played behind closed doors at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and no broadcast or live streaming, fans made their presence felt by reportedly climbing walls and fences to catch glimpses of their favourite batter doing what he does best. And Virat Kohli didn’t disappoint, giving his fans all the reasons to celebrate it.
Representing Delhi, Kohli carried his splendid form into the competition, compiling back-to-back impactful knocks. In Delhi’s campaign opener, the 37-year-old hammered a quick-fire century, scoring 131 off 101 balls against Andhra, laced with 14 fours and three sixes. He followed it with a brisk 77-run knock off just 61 deliveries, racing to his fifty off 29 balls.
Virat Kohli came into the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 on the back of a series-clinching performance in three ODIs against South Africa at home. The right-hander scored two back-to-back hundreds against the Proteas in Ranchi and Raipur. He then made an unbeaten 65 in Visakhapatnam. Before the South Africa series, Kohli scored an unbeaten 74 against Australia after getting two ducks in a row in the three-match series.
The three-match ODI series between India and New Zealand is scheduled to start on Sunday, January 11, in Vadodara. The two teams will then head to Rajkot for the second ODI on Wednesday. They will compete in Indore on Sunday. The ODIs will be followed by a five-match T20I series. It will be the last bilateral series before the highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, starting February 7.
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