In what is being hailed as the biggest development of the Indian domestic cricket season 2025-26, Virat Kohli — widely regarded as one of the greatest 50-over batters in the world — has confirmed his availability for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT). This marks a monumental moment for domestic cricket fans, as Kohli’s return adds immense star power to India’s premier List-A tournament.
The confirmation came on December 2, when Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) President Rohan Jaitley informed leading media outlets about the former India captain’s decision. Speaking to Cricbuzz, Jaitley stated, “Yes, that’s right. He has given his availability.” However, he clarified that it was still uncertain whether Kohli would compete throughout the tournament or participate in selected matches.
Kohli’s Record and Delhi’s Group Stage Schedule
Kohli last played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy shortly after making his ODI debut for India, making his return even more significant. Despite featuring in only 14 matches in the competition so far, he has compiled an impressive 819 runs at a remarkable average of 68.25 and a strike rate of 106.08 — numbers that underline his dominance even at the domestic level.
The 2025-26 edition of the VHT is scheduled from December 24 to January 18. Delhi will contest their group stage fixtures in Alur, Karnataka. Placed in Group D, they will face Gujarat, Services, Saurashtra, Odisha, Railways, Haryana, and Andhra, making it a competitive pool.
Kohli’s presence is expected to draw massive attention to the tournament, boost Delhi’s campaign, and offer young players a valuable opportunity to share the field with one of the game’s modern legends. Fans now await confirmation on how many matches the superstar batter will play as excitement continues to build ahead of the season.
