Virat Kohli Shines in Vijay Hazare Trophy Comeback After 16 Years
Kohli's Impressive Return to Domestic Cricket
Former Indian cricket captain and renowned batsman Virat Kohli showcased his exceptional skills during his comeback in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, playing against Andhra at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru on December 24.
This marked Kohli's return to the domestic List A tournament after a remarkable 16-year hiatus, with his last appearance for Delhi in this competition dating back to 2010. Initially, the match was set to be held at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium due to anticipated fan excitement over Kohli's participation. However, it was relocated to the BCCI CoE ground after the Karnataka Government denied permission, citing safety and security issues following a review of the stadium's readiness.
No Fans, No Broadcast: A Disappointing Comeback
Kohli's return match in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was played without any spectators, as the BCCI CoE Ground lacks the necessary infrastructure to accommodate fans or allow public entry. Consequently, eager supporters who wished to witness Kohli's first Vijay Hazare Trophy match in 16 years were left disappointed, as there was no live broadcast of the game.
Kohli's Stellar Performance
Virat Kohli made his domestic cricket comeback following an outstanding performance in the recent ODI series against South Africa, where he scored 302 runs, including two centuries and a fifty, averaging 151 across three matches. He continued this form into the Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Sikkim.
In his comeback match, Kohli delivered a remarkable innings, scoring 131 runs off 101 balls, leading Delhi to successfully chase down a target of 299 runs set by Sikkim in just 37.4 overs. He reached his century in 83 balls, hitting 12 fours and two sixes, demonstrating his classic ODI style and guiding Delhi to a comfortable victory with his exceptional timing and shot selection.
Dominance in Partnerships
Kohli formed a significant 113-run partnership for the second wicket with Priyansh Arya, who scored 73 runs, and a 159-run partnership with Nitish Rana, who contributed 66 runs. Across these two partnerships, Kohli scored nearly 48% of the total runs, emphasizing his dominance in the chase.
Milestone Achievements
With his 131-run innings, Kohli has now accumulated 16,000 runs in his List A career, becoming the second Indian batter after Sachin Tendulkar to reach this milestone. He surpassed former Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya's tally of 16,128 runs, making him the ninth-highest run-scorer in List A cricket history.
In total, Kohli has scored 16,130 runs in List A matches, including 58 centuries and 84 fifties, with an impressive average of 57.60 over 343 matches. Most of his List A runs have come from ODIs, where he has amassed 14,557 runs, including 53 centuries and 76 fifties, at an average of 58.46 in 308 matches.
Strengthening His Case for the 2027 World Cup
Kohli's century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy has bolstered his chances for selection in the upcoming 2027 World Cup, which will be hosted in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. His recent performances in the ODI series against South Africa and his comeback match against Sikkim have solidified his position in India's long-term ODI plans leading up to this prestigious event.
Since returning to international cricket, Kohli has shown remarkable form, having scored 507 runs, including three centuries and two fifties, at an average of 101.40 in seven matches. After retiring from Tests and T20Is, he is now focusing solely on ODIs, aiming to extend his career until the 2027 World Cup, which could mark the end of his illustrious international journey.
Commitment to the Game
Despite BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar's comments about Kohli and Rohit Sharma being 'non-committal' regarding their participation in the 2027 World Cup, both players have demonstrated their commitment through their performances. Kohli's century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Rohit's explosive innings in Jaipur, where he scored a 62-ball century and a match-winning 155 off 94 balls, reaffirm their readiness for the World Cup.
The impressive performances of these senior players, who have been pivotal to India's batting lineup for over 15 years, leave selectors with no reason to overlook them. Agarkar's earlier remarks now seem misplaced, as both Kohli and Rohit have made it clear that they are essential components of India's future ODI plans.
Upcoming Matches
After completing their domestic commitments in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, including matches against Uttarakhand and Gujarat, Kohli and Rohit will return to national duties as Team India prepares to face New Zealand in a three-match ODI series starting January 11.