Virat Kohli Returns to Vijay Hazare Trophy, One Run Away from 16,000 List A Runs

Indian batting stalwart Virat Kohli is set to return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy in the 2025–26 season, marking his comeback to India’s premier domestic 50-over competition after nearly 15 years. The tournament will serve as key preparation for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand.

Kohli has been named in Delhi’s squad and is expected to feature in two matches, playing under the captaincy of Rishabh Pant. His participation also aligns with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directive encouraging centrally contracted players to take part in domestic tournaments when international commitments allow.

The former India captain last appeared in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2010. In his previous stints for Delhi, Kohli played 17 matches, batting in 16 innings and scoring 910 runs at an impressive average of 60.66. His record includes four centuries and four half-centuries, with a highest score of 124, underlining his dominance in the domestic one-day format.

Kohli is also on the brink of a major personal milestone. He is just one run away from becoming only the second Indian cricketer, after Sachin Tendulkar, to reach 16,000 runs in List A cricket. So far, he has amassed 15,999 runs from 342 List A matches at an average of 57.34, with 57 hundreds and 84 fifties.

The Vijay Hazare Trophy comes at an ideal time for Kohli, who is in strong ODI form. He has registered four consecutive fifty-plus scores in his last four ODI innings, including back-to-back centuries against South Africa in the first two ODIs and an unbeaten 65 in the third match, helping India clinch the series 2–1.

With the New Zealand ODI series beginning on January 11, Kohli’s return to domestic cricket is expected to sharpen his match readiness while also giving fans a rare glimpse of the modern great back in India’s domestic colours.