Virat Kohli still “silent” on Ranji Trophy calls despite BCCI’s whip

Virat Kohli is yet to make himself available for Ranji Trophy fixtures for Delhi. Currently holidaying in his Alibaug home, Kohli hasn’t yet responded to Delhi’s calls. Delhi have announced a probable squad for the remaining two Ranji fixtures against Saurashtra and Railways on Jan 23 and 30 with Kohli making the list. A Ranji Trophy camp is underway but whether Kohli will join the camp anytime soon remains a mystery.

“Yes, Pant has confirmed his availability for the next Ranji game. He will join the squad in Rajkot directly. About Virat Kohli, we want him to play but we haven’t heard from him,” Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) secretary Ashok Sharma told PTI.

Will Virat Kohli play Ranji Trophy?

While Kohli is resting after averaging 23.75 in nine innings of the Border Gavaskar Trophy that India surrendered to Australia with a 1-3 result, Delhi selectors too haven’t reached out to the star batter. Ashok Sharma declared that Virat Kohli should take inspiration from Mumbai players and play Ranji Trophy. Rohit Sharma, who is also struggling in red-ball cricket, joined Mumbai practice before the resumption of the Ranji Trophy on January 23.

“Both Virat and Rishabh’s names are on the probable list. The Ranji Trophy camp is underway. Virat should take inspiration from the Mumbai cricketers and play for Delhi in domestic cricket, whenever he is available. The BCCI has also mentioned players should participate in domestic cricket. I feel Virat and Rishabh should play at least one game, but I don’t think they will,” he added,” Ashok Sharma told Indian Express.

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Will BCCI take action against Kohli?

While BCCI has tightened the screw on Indian cricketers, asking them to be available for domestic cricket, Kohli remains elusive. During the review meeting for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, it was decided that centrally contracted players will only skip domestic when they are injured.

Virat Kohli last played a Ranji Trophy match back in 2012. Since then, busy India cricket schedule has kept him away. However, as Kohli has retired from T20I cricket and has been rested frequently, former cricketers have questioned his intent to play domestic cricket.

“On January 23, there is the next round of the Ranji Trophy. Let’s see how many players from this squad play. There should be no excuse for not being able to play. If you do not play those matches, Gautam Gambhir will have to take a few tough decisions against those who are not available for the Ranji Trophy,” former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

Kohli along with Rohit Sharma did not play the Duleep Trophy ahead of the Test season. He has had a disastrous season so far, averaging 22.47 in 19 Test innings. Out of those innings, Kohli was dismissed 10 times in single-digit scores. He only has a century and a fifty this season.

With no red-ball cricket and County Cricket unlikely, selectors will have to bank on Champions Trophy and IPL 2025 form to select the squad for India’s tour of England. The five-match Test series will be crucial as it will start the new WTC 2025-27 cycle. However, if Kohli fails to fire in both the Champions Trophy and IPL 2025, Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee could take some tough calls.