Delhi captain Ayush Badoni gives up his spot to accommodate Virat Kohli on his Ranji Trophy return

Virat Kohli last played a Ranji game for Delhi in 2012 against UP.

Virat Kohli | PTI

Virat Kohli will be returning to Ranji Trophy cricket after 13 years as he gears up for Delhi’s match against Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The match will begin on January 30.

Ayush Badoni will continue to captain the Delhi side, as Virat Kohli refused the request to lead the side on his domestic cricket return.

Kohli will bat at No.4 in Delhi's final match of the season, against Railways, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, a position he has carved out for himself since Sachin Tendulkar retired in 2013. Badoni would be leaving his own batting slot at No. 4 so that Kohli could bat in his normal position.

Kohli is anticipated to replace left-hander Jonty Sidhu in the Delhi XI, as the batter has struggled in recent games due to a lack of opportunities.

Badoni is one of only a few Delhi players to have previously played against Kohli. While the gifted right-hander has never shared a dressing room with Kohli, he has played against him in the IPL.

"He will bat at No. 4. He has told us to be positive and express ourselves confidently. I have played against Virat bhaiyya in the IPL. It is an honor that in back-to-back matches I have now led Rishabh and Virat bhaiyya,” Badoni was quoted by Hindustan Times.

Even the Railways team seemed to be smitten by Kohli as some of their players were seen taking selfies on the first day of training with the megastar of Indian cricket.

This will be Virat Kohli’s chance to get some batting practice under his belt before the 3-match ODI series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

 
 

By Jatin Sharma - 29 Jan, 2025

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