Virat Kohli’s Return to Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26: Virat Kohli is set to make a highly anticipated comeback to the Vijay Hazare Trophy in the 2025–26 season, nearly 15 years after his last appearance. The Delhi batting superstar, now focusing only on ODIs, will feature under the captaincy of Rishabh Pant.
His return holds major significance—not only because of his current outstanding ODI form, but also because Kohli has a remarkable history in this tournament, where he once dominated domestic one-day cricket.
The 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy will run from December 24 to January 18, and Kohli is expected to play at least the first two matches in Bengaluru. This will also act as his preparation for the upcoming India vs New Zealand ODI series starting January 11.
Virat Kohli’s Overall Vijay Hazare Trophy Record
Even though Kohli last played in this tournament in 2010, his numbers still stand out as some of the best in the competition’s history.
Virat Kohli – Vijay Hazare Trophy Career Stats
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 13 | 819 | 124 | 68.25 | 4 | 3 |
Kohli’s average of 68.25 remains one of the most impressive for a batter who has played multiple seasons. With four centuries in only 13 innings, he displayed the same level of consistency that would later make him an ODI giant.
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Extended Stats: Updated Match Count & Aggregate Runs
Across all his appearances for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy up to 2010, Kohli has:
- Matches: 17
- Innings: 16
- Runs: 910
- Average: 60.66
- Centuries: 4
- Fifties: 4
- Highest Score: 124
These numbers show his ability to score big and contribute consistently at the domestic level.
Virat Kohli – Match-by-Match Vijay Hazare Trophy Performance
Kohli’s run in the tournament between 2008 and 2010 includes several iconic innings. Here are the most notable match performances:
Key Match-by-Match Performances
| Date | Opponent | Runs | Balls | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2, 2008 | Bengal | 56 | 56 | Visakhapatnam |
| Feb 15, 2009 | Jammu & Kashmir | 102 | 113 | Dharamsala |
| Feb 17, 2009 | Punjab | 119* | 110 | Dharamsala |
| Feb 21, 2009 | Haryana | 124 | 82 | Dharamsala |
| Feb 28, 2009 | Railways | 114 | 93 | Agartala |
| Feb 16, 2010 | Haryana | 94 | 99 | Rohtak |
These innings showed:
- his maturity while chasing,
- his ability to accelerate in the middle overs,
- and his habit of converting starts into match-winning hundreds.
Delhi’s 2009 campaign, in particular, was dominated by Kohli’s brilliance, as he scored heavily across all stages.
Milestone Alert: Kohli Nearing 16,000 List A Runs
As he returns to domestic cricket, Kohli stands on the verge of a major List A milestone:
- List A Career Runs: 15,999
- Matches: 342
- Average: 57.34
- Centuries: 57
- Fifties: 84
He needs just one run to become the second Indian after Sachin Tendulkar to reach 16,000 List A runs—a testament to his longevity and world-class consistency.
Delhi’s Schedule – Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26
| Date | Day | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 24 | Wednesday | Andhra Pradesh | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Dec 26 | Friday | Gujarat | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Dec 29 | Monday | Saurashtra | KSCA Ground 2, Alur |
| Dec 31 | Wednesday | Odisha | KSCA Ground 3, Alur |
| Jan 3 | Saturday | Services | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Jan 6 | Tuesday | Railways | KSCA Ground 2, Alur |
| Jan 8 | Thursday | Haryana | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
Kohli is confirmed for the first two matches and may be available for more depending on team plans.
Why Kohli’s Return Matters
- He is in exceptional ODI form, with four consecutive 50+ scores recently.
- His presence boosts Delhi’s chances of qualifying for knockouts.
- It inspires young domestic players sharing the dressing room with him.
- It reflects the board’s push toward strengthening domestic cricket.
Kohli’s comeback brings star value to the tournament and reminds fans of his early journey, where he built the foundation for his legendary career.
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Summary
Virat Kohli’s Vijay Hazare Trophy record reflects pure dominance, maturity, and consistency. As he returns in 2025–26, fans will witness a seasoned champion revisiting the format where his one-day greatness truly began.
His performances in this edition could set the tone for India’s upcoming ODI assignments, adding even more excitement to his long-awaited domestic comeback.
