Virat Kohli has struggled for runs recently, managing just 6 and 17 in the two innings of the first Test against Bangladesh. With a crucial tour to Australia coming up in November, there is speculation that Kohli may want to sharpen his form by playing domestic cricket. Reports suggest that he could feature in this year’s Ranji Trophy, as his name appears in Delhi's preliminary squad.
India is set to face Australia in a Test series starting on November 22, while the Ranji Trophy begins on October 11. The Delhi Cricket Association has listed 84 cricketers for the season, with Kohli's name being one of the first. Rishabh Pant is also on the list, possibly preparing for the Australia series as well. Other notable players in Delhi’s initial squad include Navdeep Saini, Yash Dhull, Harshit Rana, Ayush Badoni, Mayank Yadav, and Suyash Sharma. Ishant Sharma, who played last season, is absent from the squad this time.
The Delhi Cricket Association has instructed all players in the preliminary squad to report for a fitness test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, though national team members like Kohli and Pant are exempt. The last time Kohli was named in Delhi’s squad was in 2018, and he last played a Ranji Trophy match 11 years ago, in the 2012-13 season. If the rumors are true, Kohli’s return to domestic cricket would be highly anticipated.
