Virat Kohli represented Delhi in the 2008 Irani Cup match against Anil Kumble’s Rest of India. During the Ranji Trophy 2007-08 season, he played a key role for the champion Delhi team, scoring 373 runs in five matches at an average of 53.28. He also captained India to victory in the U19 World Cup 2008.
After debuting in the IPL and ODI formats, Kohli returned to domestic cricket and made his Irani Cup debut for Delhi on September 24, 2008, in Vadodara.
In the first innings, the Rest of India scored 252 runs, with Wasim Jaffer contributing 50. Delhi’s response featured Aakash Chopra (42) and Virender Sehwag (43), but their dismissals hindered the team’s progress.
Batting at No. 4, Kohli scored 4 runs off 11 balls before being caught by MS Dhoni off Munaf Patel’s bowling. Ultimately, Delhi was all out for 177. The Rest of India then scored 302 runs, thanks to Rahul Dravid’s contribution of 69.
Chasing a target of 378, Delhi lost their captain Sehwag for just 3 runs early on. Gautam Gambhir then formed a 32-run partnership with Virat Kohli, who scored 16 before being dismissed LBW by Zaheer Khan. Gambhir went on to make 91, but Delhi was bowled out for 190, losing the match by 187 runs.
Despite a successful year overall, Kohli struggled in his Irani Cup debut, managing only 20 runs in two innings.
Kohli is expected to make his return to the Ranji Trophy in the 2024-25 season
Last month, the Delhi & District Cricket Association released the list of probables for the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season, featuring notable names like Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant.
https://x.com/cricdomestic_/status/1838651633976160410?s=46
Kohli’s last appearance in the Ranji Trophy was during the 2014-15 season, where he played one match and scored 57 runs. This season, he could potentially return to India’s premier first-class tournament.
In the coming months, Virat Kohli will have a busy schedule, representing India in a three-match series against New Zealand and the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
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