Return of Virat Kohli: The Legend Reappears at the Ranji Trophy After a Gap of More than 13 Years – A Story of his Last Match and Career Stats
New Dehli: After a gap of over a decade, batting maestro and former captain of the Indian cricket team, Virat Kohli, is back to play in the Ranji Trophy competition starting today (January 30, Thursday). Kohli will represent Delhi against Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Cricket followers are eager for this game, Kohli had last appeared in the Ranji Trophy in November 2012.
The Last Time What Happened?
In 2012, the last Ranji Trophy match that Virat Kohli participated in was against the team from Uttar Pradesh. while he scored 14 runs in the first innings and Kohli amassed 43 runs in the second innings, both times he was dismissed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Virender Sehwag was the captain of the Delhi team, whilst Suresh Raina led Uttar Pradesh.
Virat Kohli’s Ranji Trophy Achievements
Having participated in 23 matches of Ranji Trophy so far, Kohli has a total of 1,547 runs, with 5 centuries and 7 half centuries. His personal highest score is 173 runs.
2006-07: 6 games, 257 runs, 1 fifty, 90 was the top score
2007-08: 5 games, 373 runs, 2 hundreds, 169 was the top score
2008-09: 4 games, 174 runs, 2 fifties, 83 was the top score
2009-10: 3 games, 374 runs, 1 hundred, 2 fifties, 145 was the top score
2010-11: 4 games, 339 runs, 2 hundreds, 173 was the top score
2012-13: 1 game, 57 runs, 43 was the top score
First Ranji Match and First Century
In 2006, Kohli began his Ranji career against Tamil Nadu where he only managed 10 runs. The following season, he achieved his first century during a match against Rajasthan. Kohli had a fantastic match where he scored a remarkable 106 runs, hitting 13 fours in 192 balls.
Delhi and Railways Teams
Delhi Team: Ayush Badoni (Captain), Virat Kohli, Arpit Rana, Sanat Sangwan, Dhull Yash, Vaibhav Kandpal, Rahul Gahlot
Railways Team: Pratham Singh (Captain), Ankit Yadav, Vivek Singh, Suraj Ahuja, Upendra Yadav (Wk), Mohammed Saif, Bhargav Merai, Karn Sharma, Purnank Tyagi, Himanshu Sangwan, Kunal Yadav, Shivam Chaudhary, Ashutosh Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, Akash Pandey, Adarsh Singh Ayan Chaudhary, Rajat Nirwal
Match Broadcast
The BCCI has made arrangements to live broadcast this match. Live streaming will be available on Jio Cinema from 9:30 AM. In order to accommodate more fans at the stadium for Kohli’s comeback, the Delhi Cricket Association has opened two extra stands at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
What Did Kohli Say?
Prior to this match, Kohli practiced with the Indian former batting coach Sanjay Bangar in Mumbai, and he worked on his short-pitch deliveries a lot. He said, “Coming back to domestic cricket always feels special. I look forward to wearing the Delhi jersey again.”
What’s Next?
The return of Virat Kohli is a hugely impactful moment not just for Delhi but for the whole of domestic cricket. With everybody looking forward on how he performs, this match would set the course of his form and fitness as well.
