Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has created a stir in the cricket world by selecting a 20-member powerhouse team for the upcoming cricket tournament. Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 For the first two matches. The announcement marks a rare comeback Virat Kohli In domestic List A cricket, his first appearance in the tournament since 2010.
Following strict BCCI orders requiring centrally contracted players to participate in at least two rounds of the 50-over event, Kohli and fellow stars Rishabh Pant Has confirmed his availability for the initial matches of Delhi. Pant has been officially appointed captain with the high-flyer Ayush Badoni Named his deputy. With the tournament starting in Bengaluru on December 24, 2025, Delhi enter Group D as clear favorites, with a roster that blends great experience with explosive young talent.
Virat Kohli returns after 15 years in Vijay Hazare tournament
The most important story of the team selection is Kohli’s return to the Delhi jersey for the domestic 50-over matches after a long gap of 15 years. Kohli, who last played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in February 2010, has been in great form recently, scoring two centuries during the ODI series against South Africa.
His return is not a mere formality; This is a strategic move by the BCCI to ensure that the top players remain match-fit during the three-week gap before the start of India’s ODI series against New Zealand on January 11. DDCA President Rohan Jaitley Kohli’s participation confirmed for the first two matches against Andhra and Gujarat, where he will likely reunite with long-time friend Ishant SharmaFor Bengaluru fans, the chance to see Kohli play for his home state at the M, Chinnaswamy Stadium, a venue where he is a local icon for his IPL franchise, has turned these home fixtures into some of the most anticipated matches of the season,
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Strength of Delhi team under the leadership of Rishabh Pant and pace battery.
Under the captaincy of Rishabh Pant, Delhi have fielded a team that looks strong on paper, especially in the bowling department. Inclusion of experienced pacers Ishant Sharma And Navdeep Sainiwith youthful feeling Harshit Rana (who will join after India’s T20I duties), offers pace and depth of experience rarely seen in domestic cricket.
The batting unit is equally strong, with aggressive Nitish Rana And former India Under-19 captain Yash DhulWhile Ayush Badoni provides stability and tactical support in the middle order as the vice-captain. Explaining the selection, DDCA officials emphasized that this balanced mix is ​​designed to navigate the tough Group D schedule that includes powerhouse teams like Saurashtra and Haryana. By appointing Pant as the leader, the selectors have signaled a commitment to modern, aggressive white-ball cricket, ensuring that the stars not only fulfill their BCCI obligations but also actively lead Delhi towards their first title in over a decade.
Delhi team for the first two matches of Vijay Hazare Trophy
Rishabh Pant (captain), Ayush Badoni (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Arpit Rana, Yash Dhull, Sarthak Ranjan, Priyansh Arya, Tejasvi Singh (wicketkeeper), Nitish Rana, Hrithik Shaukeen, Harsh Tyagi, Simarjeet Singh, Prince Yadav, Divij Mehra, Ayush Doseja, Vaibhav Kandpal, Rohan Rana, Ishant Sharma, Navdeep Saini, Anuj Rawat. (Standby Wicketkeeper)
