Rishabh Pant to lead Delhi in Vijay Hazare Trophy as Virat Kohli set to returns after 15 years

The Delhi Cricket Team has received a major boost ahead of the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, with Rishabh Pant set to lead the side when the tournament begins on December 24. The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) announced a strong 20-member squad featuring Virat Kohli on December 19.

The DDCA selectors have handed captaincy to India’s Test vice-captain and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, with the young sensation Ayush Badoni as his deputy.

Rishabh Pant named Delhi captain Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, Virat Kohli set for long-awaited List A comeback

The biggest talking point is the return of India’s batting superstar Virat Kohli to List A cricket for Delhi after a long gap of 15 years. The former Indian captain’s presence adds huge experience to the squad that was named for the first two matches of the 50-over tournament.

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Kohli last played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy during the 2009–10 season, with his final appearance coming in February 2010. Across 14 matches in the tournament, the dashing right-handed batter has scored 819 runs at an outstanding average of 68.25 and a strike rate of 106.08.

Virat Kohli also has four centuries and three half-centuries to his name in India’s premier 50-over competition. Meanwhile, Delhi’s squad also features senior pacers Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini, who have also confirmed their availability for the tournament.

Harshit Rana confirmed to play in Vijay Hazare Trophy

India’s young fast bowler Harshit Rana will join the Delhi squad once he is released from national duty, as he was recently part of the T20I series against South Africa. However, the DDCA has not mentioned for how many matches India stars like Kohli, Pant, and Rana will be available.

The DDCA said in a press release, “Mr. Rishabh Pant, Mr. Virat Kohli, Mr. Ishant Sharma, and Mr. Navdeep Saini have confirmed their availability and will be part of the team. Mr. Rishabh Pant is appointed as the captain of the team. Mr. Harshit Rana shall join the squad as and when he becomes available.”

Meanwhile, Delhi is placed in Group D and is scheduled to play seven matches between December 24 and January 8. However, it is still unclear whether Pant and Kohli will be available for all matches, with India’s ODI series against New Zealand starting on January 11 in Vadodara.

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DDCA picks balanced squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26

Delhi will begin their Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 campaign with back-to-back matches against Andhra on December 24 and Gujarat on December 26, both to be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Pant will be the main wicketkeeper, with Tejasvi Dahiya serving as the backup option. Anuj Rawat has been named as a standby wicketkeeper in case Pant is unavailable. The batting unit also includes Yash Dhull, Priyansh Arya, Arpit Rana, and Nitish Rana.

The bowling attack looks well-balanced, with Simarjeet Singh and Prince Yadav leading the pace unit, while spinners Hrithik Shokeen, Harsh Tyagi, and Vaibhav Kandpal add variety.

Delhi Squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26:

Rishabh Pant (C/WK), Ayush Badoni (VC), Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma, Navdeep Saini, 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, Anuj Rawat (Stand-by)

Rishabh Pant to lead Delhi in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. Virat Kohli has also confirmed his availability and will be part of the team. pic.twitter.com/NVlG7tHVuT

— Debasis Sen (@debasissen) December 19, 2025