Virat Kohli marked a memorable return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy after almost 15 years, hitting an impressive 131 off 101 balls for Delhi against Andhra Pradesh.
The hundred came in a chase and helped Delhi register a four-wicket win. Kohli paced the innings calmly, mixing control with aggression, and finished the job without increasing the pressure.
This blow also brought Kohli into an elite club. He became only the second Indian batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to cross 16,000 runs in List A cricket, another major milestone in a long and decorated career.
Kohli’s return to domestic cricket has been closely watched, especially after his decision to retire from T20Is and Tests. He is now concentrating solely on ODIs, with the 2027 World Cup firmly in his sights.
The next ODI World Cup will be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, and Kohli sees it as his main international target. His form suggests the ODI-only squad is working well for him.
Kohli’s youth coach Rajkumar Sharma was full of praise after the innings and said the hunger is still very much there.
“He is in brilliant form. He batted very well and ensured Delhi’s win,” Sharma said.
“He played domestic cricket after a long time but still performed exceptionally well. He is the most consistent player in the Indian team and is fully ready for the World Cup,” Sharma added.
The figures support that confidence. In ODIs this year, Kohli has scored 651 runs in 13 innings at an average of 65.10 and a strike rate of 96.15.
His series includes three hundred and four fifties, including two centuries and an unbeaten fifty in the recent ODI series in South Africa, where he was one of India’s standout batters.
Kohli will soon return to international duty in the ODI series against New Zealand, starting on January 11 in Vadodara. Before that, he wants to help Delhi continue their strong run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
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