Virat Kohli is set to make his long-awaited return to the Ranji Trophy, with plans to train with the Delhi team on Tuesday. This marks his first appearance in the prestigious domestic tournament since 2012. Confirming Kohli's participation, Delhi's head coach Sarandeep Singh mentioned that he will join the squad for their final group match against Railways, scheduled to take place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium from January 30 to February 2. Kohli had previously opted out of Delhi’s last match due to a neck injury. His upcoming participation comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) introduced guidelines for contracted players in response to India's disappointing 3-1 series loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. One of these directives was to encourage players to engage in domestic cricket.
In recent days, social media platforms have showcased videos and images of Kohli training with Sanjay Bangar, the former batting coach of the Indian cricket team and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This preparation signals Kohli's commitment to regain match fitness ahead of the impending international commitments.
The final round of group matches in the Ranji Trophy will conclude just four days before India embarks on its One Day International (ODI) series against England in Nagpur, commencing on February 6. Kohli is an integral part of the ODI squad, which will compete in a three-match series in preparation for the Champions Trophy set to begin on February 19.
In a related development, KL Rahul has been included in Karnataka's squad for their vital Ranji Trophy match against the current group leaders, Haryana, later this week. His selection was contingent upon passing fitness tests following an elbow injury that sidelined him from the previous fixture against Punjab. Sources indicate that Rahul has received the green light from the BCCI medical panel. His inclusion will significantly strengthen Karnataka, especially alongside notable players such as Devdutt Padikkal and Prasidh Krishna, both of whom played in the recent Australian Test squad. This upcoming match will be Rahul's first first-class appearance for Karnataka in nearly five years, his last outing being during the 2019-20 semi-final against Bengal at Eden Gardens.
Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja is also set to feature in Saurashtra's concluding game against Assam in Rajkot. Having delivered an impressive performance with a ten-wicket haul in their last match against Delhi, Jadeja's presence adds to Saurashtra’s strength as they look to secure a favorable position in the tournament. Riyan Parag, who has recently recovered from a shoulder injury, will lead the Assam team in this encounter.
Additionally, Mohammed Siraj will represent Hyderabad in their upcoming fixture against Vidarbha. Siraj last participated in a Ranji Trophy match against Vidarbha in February 2020. Currently, Vidarbha tops Group B, while Hyderabad occupies the fourth position, recording two wins alongside two losses and two draws. Siraj recently had a rigorous Test series against Australia, where he bowled a staggering 157.1 overs, ranking second among all bowlers in terms of overs bowled, trailing only behind Pat Cummins.
In an unfortunate development, Rishabh Pant will not be included in Delhi’s squad for the match against Railways. Pant had a challenging outing in the previous match against Saurashtra, scoring just 1 and 17 runs, leading to a ten-wicket defeat for his team. The absence of such a pivotal player presents additional challenges for Delhi as they aim to wrap up their campaign on a stronger note.
As the Ranji Trophy progresses towards its climax, the stakes are heightened for players like Kohli, Rahul, Jadeja, and Siraj, who seek to impress national selectors while also contributing to their respective state teams. Each match holds significance not only for personal accolades but also for the larger context of Indian cricket as it gears up for the international fixtures ahead. The outcomes of these fixtures will play a crucial role in shaping the teams and strategies leading into the ODI lineup against England, as well as the Champions Trophy. The heightened competition in the domestic arena will test the players' capabilities and resilience, setting the tone for the upcoming international cricket calendar.