The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) has sent waves through the cricketing world by naming a powerhouse 20-member squad for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 for the first two games. This announcement is headlined by the rare return of Virat Kohli to domestic List A cricket, marking his first appearance in the tournament since 2010.
Following a strict BCCI mandate requiring centrally contracted players to participate in at least two rounds of the 50-over event, Kohli and fellow star Rishabh Pant have confirmed their availability for Delhi’s opening games. Pant has been officially appointed as the captain, with high-flyer Ayush Badoni named his deputy. With the tournament set to kick off on December 24, 2025, in Bengaluru, Delhi enters Group D as clear favorites, boasting a roster that blends legendary experience with explosive young talent.
Virat Kohli’s comeback after 15 years in the Vijay Hazare tournament
The most significant narrative of the squad selection is the return of Kohli to the Delhi jersey for a domestic 50-over match after a staggering 15-year hiatus. Kohli, who last played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in February 2010, has been in phenomenal form recently, smashing two centuries during the ODI series against South Africa.
His return is not merely a formality; it is a strategic move by the BCCI to ensure top players remain match-fit during the three-week gap before India’s ODI series against New Zealand begins on January 11. DDCA President Rohan Jaitley confirmed Kohli’s participation for the first two games against Andhra and Gujarat, where he will likely reunite with long-time friend Ishant Sharma. For the fans in Bengaluru, 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 domestic fixtures into some of the most anticipated matches of the season.
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Delhi squad strength under Rishabh Pant and the pace battery
Under the captaincy of Rishabh Pant, Delhi has assembled a squad that looks formidable on paper, particularly in its bowling department. The inclusion of veteran pacers Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini, alongside young sensation Harshit Rana (who will join after India’s T20I duties), provides a depth of speed and experience rarely seen in domestic cricket.
The batting unit is equally robust, featuring the aggressive Nitish Rana and former India U-19 captain Yash Dhull, while Ayush Badoni provides middle-order stability and tactical support as vice-captain. Explaining the selection, DDCA officials emphasized that this balanced mix is designed to navigate a grueling Group D schedule that includes powerhouse teams like Saurashtra and Haryana. By appointing Pant as leader, the selectors have signaled a commitment to modern, aggressive white-ball cricket, ensuring that the stars not only fulfill their BCCI obligations but actively drive Delhi toward their first title in over a decade.
Delhi squad for the first two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches
Rishabh Pant (c), Ayush Badoni (vc), Virat Kohli, Arpit Rana, Yash Dhull, Sarthak Ranjan, Priyansh Arya, Tejasvi Singh (wk), Nitish Rana, Hrithik Shokeen, Harsh Tyagi, Simarjeet Singh, Prince Yadav, Divij Mehra, Ayush Doseja, Vaibhav Kandpal, Rohan Rana, Ishant Sharma, Navdeep Saini, Anuj Rawat (standby wicketkeeper)
