The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 is scheduled to commence on December 24, promising an exciting season of domestic cricket featuring several prominent Indian players. Among them is star batsman Virat Kohli, who is slated to represent Delhi, while this marks a significant return for Kohli, as he will be seen playing for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy after a considerable gap of 15 years. This season, the Delhi team will be captained by the dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, a move expected to inject fresh energy and leadership into the squad.
Kohli's Anticipated Return and Opening Match
Virat Kohli's participation for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy is undoubtedly a major draw for domestic cricket enthusiasts, while his last appearance for Delhi in this tournament was a decade and a half ago, and his return is expected to Importantly bolster the team's batting lineup and overall strength. Delhi is scheduled to play its inaugural match of the tournament against Andhra. This crucial encounter will take place on December 24 at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. This match won't only kick off Delhi's campaign for the season but. Also present a golden opportunity for Virat Kohli to achieve a remarkable personal milestone. Cricket fans are eagerly awaiting this match to witness Kohli's performance on his return and see if he can reach this historic landmark.
A Historic Milestone: 16,000 List A Runs
In the upcoming match against Andhra, Virat Kohli stands on the verge of a monumental achievement. He's just one run shy of completing 16,000 runs in List A cricket. Currently, Kohli has accumulated 15,999 runs from 329 innings. The moment he scores his first run in the match, he will join an exclusive club of batsmen. This accomplishment will make him only the second Indian player, after the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, to score 16,000 or more runs in List A cricket, while this will add another significant chapter to his illustrious career, serving as a testament to his consistent performance and exceptional batting prowess across various formats of the game.
Joining Sachin Tendulkar in an Elite Club
In List A cricket, the record for the most runs by an Indian player is held by the 'Master Blaster,' Sachin Tendulkar, while throughout his career, Tendulkar amassed an incredible total of 21,999 runs in 538 innings, a truly staggering figure. Virat Kohli, who currently holds the second position in this esteemed list, is now poised to surpass the 16,000-run mark, becoming only the second Indian to do so after Tendulkar. This achievement will solidify his special place in the annals of Indian cricket history and further underscore his greatness. It highlights how consistently Kohli has dominated limited-overs cricket and continued to pile on runs over the years, maintaining an exceptional level of performance.
Performance of Other Indian Stalwarts
Other prominent names also feature in the list of Indian batsmen with the most runs in List A cricket. Rohit Sharma has scored 13,758 runs in 338 innings, while Sourav Ganguly accumulated 15,622 runs in 421 innings. Shikhar Dhawan has also made a significant contribution with 12,074 runs in 298 innings. These statistics underscore the rich legacy of Indian batsmen who have excelled in the List A format. Virat Kohli's impending achievement of 16,000 runs among these legends is a testament to his extraordinary talent and unwavering dedication to the sport. He has consistently remained at the pinnacle of batting, setting new records with almost every match he plays, showcasing his enduring class and hunger for runs.
Virat Kohli's Impressive List A Statistics
Virat Kohli's record in List A cricket has been remarkably impressive throughout his career, while he has so far scored 15,999 runs at an outstanding average of 57. 34 from 329 innings. During this period, he has notched up an incredible 57 centuries and 84 half-centuries, which clearly demonstrates his prolific run-scoring ability and his knack for converting starts into big scores, while these statistics are truly exceptional for any batsman and unequivocally prove Kohli's world-class caliber. His consistency and ability to perform under pressure make him one of the finest batsmen. Globally, a player who can single-handedly change the course of a match with his batting.
Recent Form and Impact on Delhi
In the recently concluded 3-match ODI series against South Africa, Virat Kohli displayed phenomenal form. He scored a total of 302 runs in the series at an impressive average of 151, which included two consecutive centuries and one half-century. His current form will be immensely crucial for Delhi in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, while kohli's presence won't only add significant depth to the team's batting lineup but also serve as a tremendous source of inspiration for the younger players in the squad. His vast experience and proven match-winning capabilities will undoubtedly make Delhi a formidable contender in the tournament. He's scheduled to play in the first two matches in Bengaluru, which will provide the team with crucial early momentum and a strong start to their campaign.
