Plot twist alert – Virat Kohli changed his mind and will now play the Vijay Hazare Trophy this year. The DDCA President Rohan Jaitley just dropped this bombshell news that’s got everyone talking. Kohli initially said no but the BCCI selectors somehow convinced him to join Delhi’s squad. This is huge news for Indian domestic cricket fans everywhere.
Kohli’s Return After 15 Years
Can you believe Virat Kohli hasn’t played this tournament since February 2010? That’s like forever in cricket years. The Vijay Hazare Trophy starts on December 24, 2025 and King Kohli will be there. His last appearance came when he was just starting his journey to becoming a legend.
Coach Gautam Gambhir made it crystal clear that domestic cricket participation is mandatory now. You want to play for India? Then you better show up for state matches. Even superstars like Virat Kohli aren’t getting any free passes on this new rule.
“The issue is with the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He (Kohli) simply doesn’t want to play. When Rohit is also playing, how can there be an exception for one player? And what do we tell the other players? That someone is different from all of you?” a BCCI source said.
Rohit Sharma already confirmed he’s playing too which probably helped change Kohli’s decision. When your captain leads by example, it becomes harder to say no, right?
BCCI’s New Policy Impact
The BCCI rolled out a strict policy that contracted players must play domestic tournaments. Only injuries or national team duty can excuse you from these matches anymore. This policy basically ended all debates about who plays and who doesn’t.
Virat Kohli had to think hard about his options after initially refusing. The BCCI selectors worked their magic and got him on board eventually. Nobody is bigger than the game or the board’s new rules apparently.
“He has confirmed his availability to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. How many games he will feature in is not clear yet. Obviously, his presence will be a massive boost to the Delhi dressing room,” Jaitley said.
What This Means for Delhi Cricket
Delhi’s opening match against Andhra just became the hottest ticket in town! Virat Kohli wearing Delhi colors will boost team morale through the roof. Remember when he played Ranji Trophy earlier this year? Over 12,000 fans showed up just to watch him bat.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy suddenly got way more interesting with Kohli’s name on the team sheet. Expect stadiums to be packed wherever Delhi plays their matches now.
