New Delhi | Former India captain Virat Kohli’s return to domestic cricket in the 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy has added fresh excitement, and the journey may not be over yet. Although Kohli was initially scheduled to play only two matches in the tournament—both of which he completed on Friday against Gujarat—reports suggest that he could feature in one additional game for Delhi.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had earlier made it mandatory for all centrally contracted players to play at least two domestic matches, a directive Kohli has already fulfilled. However, as per sources, the star batter may take a brief New Year break and could return to action on January 6, 2026, when Delhi face Railways at Alur.
Before that fixture, Delhi are set to play Saurashtra on December 29, Odisha on December 31, and Services on January 3. The final call on Kohli’s availability will depend on the schedule of the India–New Zealand ODI series, which begins on January 11, 2026. The BCCI may also organise a short preparatory camp ahead of the series, potentially impacting player participation in the later Vijay Hazare matches.
Kohli is playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy after nearly a decade and is seen as building momentum toward the 2027 ODI World Cup. He announced his return in style, smashing 131 off 101 balls against Andhra Pradesh, followed by a match-winning 77 against Gujarat, earning the Player of the Match award as Delhi secured a thrilling seven-run win in Elite Group D.
