Virat Kohli & Rishabh Pant Confirmed to Play Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 for Delhi

Delhi cricket fans are in for a treat this month. Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant are set to turn out for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy starting December 24, giving the team a big boost for the new domestic season.

Kohli has been named in the DDCA probables and is expected to play only the first two matches. Even then, his return is special. He has not played a domestic 50 over match for Delhi in many years. His presence, even briefly, is likely to lift the dressing room and draw huge attention.

Pant, on the other hand, is available for the full tournament. His steady return to competitive cricket has already excited fans, and having him for every league game is a major advantage for Delhi. His batting and leadership add weight to the middle order.

Delhi will play all their league games in Bengaluru. The first two matches, where Kohli is set to feature, will be held at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The rest of the group stage fixtures will take place at the KSCA’s Alur Ground.

A DDCA official explained the plan by saying, “Kohli is likely to play two matches in the VHT, but Pant will be there with the team for the entire competition.” The selectors see this as a rare chance to field both together in domestic cricket.

If both make the starting XI, Delhi’s batting becomes one of the strongest units in the tournament. Their chances of qualifying rise sharply with two proven match winners in the line-up. Kohli’s experience and Pant’s full-time role bring a balance that Delhi have missed in recent seasons.

The Bengaluru-based group stage should also help the team settle quickly. Familiar pitches and shorter travel are expected to support their early push for points.

With two of India’s biggest names wearing Delhi colours again, the Vijay Hazare Trophy now holds extra excitement for fans and teammates alike.