Virat Kohli is perhaps the greatest one-day international (ODI) batter of all time.
When India’s biggest cricket star chooses domestic cricket over rest, it sends a message. After weeks of speculation about Virat Kohli’s presence in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the noise has died down. Kohli has confirmed his availability to the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) and will play three matches to prepare for the India vs New Zealand ODI series starting January 11, 2026.
This will be Kohli’s first appearance at Vijay Hazare since 2009, the season after guiding India to the Under-19 World Cup. At 37 now, the motivation to train for domestic cricket rather than just training privately in London shows his mindset and commitment to staying relevant in India’s ODI setup ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Robin Uthappa backs Kohli: ‘He confirmed three weeks ago’
Former India keeper-batsman Robin Uthappa has shut down rumors that Kohli had initially refused to play, revealing that the veteran had already decided weeks earlier. Kohli’s former teammate also felt that the modern-day great will only get better with more playing time under his belt.
“Three weeks ago, Virat had confirmed that he would play, and this whole question of whether he would play or not, it’s just conjecture. He already knew that, and the communication already said that he would play three weeks ago. For him, the more matches he plays, the better it is for him, because it helps create flow. When you get older, you want to play as many matches as possible.” Uthappa said on his YouTube channel.
Had Kohli not played against Vijay Hazare, there would have been a considerable gap of 36 days between his appearances. The player with the most ODI hundreds in history has impeccable touch and would like to continue batting next year.
Uthappa said Kohli’s decision was practical and perfectly timed ahead of the New Zealand ODIs. “How much match practice will he get even in London or India, if he doesn’t play real competitive matches? He also believes that his mental preparation is the key. He has been doing it for 20 years; he knows how to do it. He is a master of ODI cricket, but still, you need those reps in the middle. That always helps. So, that communication has already been made between the important people and him, that he is going to play a bunch of matches for DDCA,” he added.
Kohli to feature in 3 Vijay Hazare Trophy matches
Kohli will play the following matches for Delhi:
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| December 24 | Delhi vs Andhra |
| December 26 | Delhi vs Gujarat |
| January 6, 2026 | Delhi against railways |
DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma said he was delighted with the return. “Virat Kohli today confirmed at the DDCA that he will play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Although he has nothing to prove, it shows that he still retains his passion for the game.“
Kohli hit back-to-back centuries in the ODI series against South Africa, and with it, he is ready for domestic action again. The South African bowlers found no response to Kohli’s masterclass and the domestic bowlers might find it extremely difficult playing the 50-over master of cricket.
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