[WATCH] Virat Kohli Hits The Nets Ahead Of The Vijay Hazare Trophy

Virat Kohli is set to make a long-awaited return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy, representing Delhi in the 2025–26 season of India’s premier domestic one-day tournament. The competition will be played from December 24 to January 18, and Kohli’s inclusion marks his first appearance in the tournament since 2010.

Now 37, the experienced batter has already begun his preparations, with videos emerging of him training hard in the nets. His most recent competitive outing came earlier this month when he played for India against South Africa in Visakhapatnam, scoring an unbeaten half-century and showcasing solid form. Delhi’s team management expects Kohli to feature in at least a couple of matches, using the tournament as a crucial stepping stone ahead of upcoming international assignments.

Virat Kohli gearing up for the Vijay Hazare Trophy🔥 pic.twitter.com/Uue7hpnaJL

— 𝙒𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙣🥂 (@wrognxvirat) December 20, 2025

Delhi’s Squad And Tournament Schedule

Delhi will be led by wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant in the 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy. The squad is a balanced mix of senior players and young talent, aiming to make a strong impact in the group stage. Alongside Kohli and Pant, the team includes several familiar domestic performers and emerging prospects who will look to make the most of this opportunity.

Delhi will begin their campaign on December 24 against Andhra Pradesh before facing Gujarat, Saurashtra, Odisha, Services, Railways and Haryana in their remaining group fixtures. Kohli’s presence is expected to be invaluable, not just for his batting contributions but also for the experience and confidence he brings to a relatively young side competing in a demanding format.

Rohit Sharma’s Limited Appearance For Mumbai

While Virat Kohli prepares to play for Delhi, Rohit Sharma is also set to feature in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, albeit briefly. The former India captain has been named in Mumbai’s squad but will only take part in two matches, as confirmed by the Mumbai Cricket Association. Shardul Thakur will lead the Mumbai side, which will miss several key players, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, while Shreyas Iyer remains unavailable due to injury.

For Kohli, the Vijay Hazare Trophy is expected to play a key role in sharpening his match fitness and rhythm ahead of India’s upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. Given his outstanding form in the recent ODI series against South Africa, expectations are high that this domestic stint will further enhance his readiness for international cricket.

Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.