When was the last time Virat Kohli played a Ranji Trophy match for Delhi?
Team India superstar Virat Kohli generated headlines when he was named in Delhi's probable squad for the 2024-25 Ranji season. Yet, his participation in the tournament remains doubtful considering India's packed international schedule with the ongoing Bangladesh series followed by New Zealand touring India and India's tour of Australia at the end of the year.
Nevertheless, the news of Kohli being in Delhi's probable squad generated curiosity among fans with many wondering when the champion batter last played for them in a Ranji Trophy game.
For that, we have to go way back to the 2012/13 Ranji Trophy when the 35-year-old played the lone game against Uttar Pradesh in November 2012. Kohli scored 14 in the first innings and followed that up with a well-compiled 43 in the second innings before being dismissed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar both times.
Delhi suffered a six-wicket defeat in what turned out to be Kohli's last appearance in a Ranji Trophy match to date. The ace batter was listed in Delhi's probable squad for the 2018 edition but did not play a single game.
Meanwhile, Delhi will open their 2024/25 Ranji campaign against Chhattisgarh on October 11.
How has Virat Kohli fared in the Ranji Trophy during his career?
Virat Kohli has not played in the Ranji Trophy for over a decade but is no stranger to the tournament. The veteran batter played three or more matches for Delhi in five consecutive Ranji Trophies from the 2006/07 to the 2010/11 edition.
After a mediocre start in the 2006/07 tournament with an average of only 36.71, Kohli responded with an average of 53.28 in five matches in the following Ranji Trophy in 2007/08.
However, he struggled again in the 2008/09 Ranji Trophy, averaging only 34.80 before producing his best performances in the following two editions.
Kohli averaged an incredible 93.50 in the 2009/10 Ranji season and 56.50 in the 2010/11 edition to earn his India Test cap in 2011. After missing the 2011/12 Ranji Trophy, the 35-year-old played the lone game in the 2012/13 tournament.
Overall, Kohli has scored 1,574 runs in his Ranji Trophy career at an average of 50.77 with five centuries in 23 outings.