Vikrant Shekhawat : Jan 20, 2025, 09:00 PM
Ranji Trophy 2025: Indian cricket star batsman Virat Kohli has finally decided to return to the Ranji Trophy. After the BCCI directed senior players to play domestic cricket, cricket lovers were waiting to know whether Virat would play in the Ranji Trophy for Delhi or not. Earlier, due to neck pain, Virat had withdrawn his name from the match starting on January 23, but now according to a new report, he will be available for the Ranji match to be held from January 30.Return to Ranji Trophy after 13 years?A recent report claims that Virat Kohli has informed the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) that he is ready to play Delhi's last Ranji match from January 30. This match will be against Railways, and will be the last match of the group stage of Ranji Trophy for Delhi. Earlier, Delhi has to play against Saurashtra from January 23, in which Virat was included. However, he withdrew from this match due to neck pain. After this, the DDCA selectors included another player in the team in his place.If Kohli plays in this match, it will be a chance for him to return to Ranji Trophy after 13 years. He last played Ranji Trophy for Delhi in 2012. However, some questions are still being raised about this comeback, because this match will be played from 30 January to 2 February, and after this the ODI series is to start from 6 February, in which Virat Kohli will be a part of the Indian team. In such a situation, the question arises whether he will take a break before the ODI series or not.Senior players will also be included in Ranji TrophyThis decision of Virat Kohli has come when BCCI has made it mandatory for senior and junior players to play in Ranji Trophy. Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill have already declared their availability for the Ranji matches starting from 23 January. After this, Indian team captain Rohit Sharma also announced his return to the Mumbai team and he has been included in the squad for the next match. Along with this, star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and fast bowler Mohammed Siraj can also play in the Ranji Trophy.Importance of senior players in Ranji TrophyRecently, the discussion has intensified in Indian cricket that senior players should also play in domestic cricket, especially Ranji Trophy. After the defeat in the Test series against New Zealand and Australia, and especially due to the poor performance of the senior batsmen, head coach Gautam Gambhir supported it. After this, the BCCI has made it mandatory for all the players to play for their teams in the Ranji Trophy, so that their fitness and form in cricket remains intact.Virat Kohli's return to Ranji Trophy is not only important for his personal career, but it is also a good sign for Indian cricket. This also makes it clear that the BCCI is now serious about domestic cricket and is also encouraging senior players to be a part of it.