03 December 2025 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau :Former India captain Virat Kohli has informed the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) that he will be available for selection for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s domestic one-day tournament. This comes after Kohli seemed ready to defy the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) which had asked both him and Rohit Sharma in November to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy to remain in contention to play for India.
“Virat Kohli has confirmed to the DDCA today that he will play the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Though he has nothing to prove it shows that he still retains passion for the game. His recent hundred against South Africa shows he is still one of the best players in the world. Him playing the domestic tournament will be a motivation for the youngsters,” DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma told The Indian Express. Delhi begin their Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign against Andhra Pradesh in Alur on December 24.
On Sunday, after winning the Player of the Match award for his 135 in the second ODI against South Africa, Kohli said: “I’ve never been a big believer in a lot of preparation, if that makes sense. All my cricket has been mental. As long as I feel good mentally, I can play the game.”
Kohli’s comments had not gone down well with the BCCI, a source told this newspaper. He has since seemed to have changed his mind.
Before the start of the One-Day International Series against South Africa, Rohit Sharma had informed the Mumbai Cricket Association that he would play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy but Kohli had kept everyone guessing. Since he was scoring runs in ODIs, Kohli said he didn’t think there was a need for him to play additional matches.
“I’ve played 300-odd ODI games and so much cricket over the last 15-16 years. If you can bat an hour and a half, two hours in the nets without taking a break, you’re meeting all the markers. I understand if there’s a dip in form, you look for games and try to get that form back,” Kohli had said on Sunday.
Being physically fit, timing the ball well and being mentally ready, Kohli believed, was the key for him.
“As long as you’re hitting the ball well and you’re playing good cricket, at this stage with the experience that I have, for me it’s about being physically fit, mentally ready and excited to play the games that I’m playing. Everything else should take care of itself,” he would add.
There has been speculation about the future of the two veteran batsmen, Kohli, 37, and Rohit, 38, given that the next 50-over World Cup is in 2027. However, after returning to international cricket after a gap of six months for the ODI tour of Australia last month, both have been among the runs. After two successive ducks in Perth and Adelaide, Kohli made 74 in the final ODI against Australia, and then scored 135 against South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday. Rohit’s scores read 8, 73, 121 not out, and 57
Summary
Virat Kohli has informed the Delhi team that he is available to play in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy. This comes just days after reports suggested he might go against the BCCI’s directive requiring senior players to participate in domestic tournaments. His decision brings clarity to the situation and strengthens Delhi’s squad ahead of the competition.