Virat Kohli set to feature in new T20 league? DDCA chief drops bombshell
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Before the onset of the much-anticipated second season of the Delhi Premier League, two more teams have been added to the draft, as it includes Outer Delhi Warriors and New Delhi Tigers as the two new franchises.
The recently concluded DPL auction has seen a total of 520 players, all registered with the Delhi Cricket Association, with 186 of these players landing contracts. Eyes will be set at DPL, especially after it gave players like Priyansh Arya and Digvesh Rathi in its previous season.
Delhi has always been a hub for great names in Indian cricket, like Rishabh Pant and Ishant Sharma, who were among the big names in the inaugural season of the DPL.
This time around, a question has been raised over whether the DDCA has approached veteran Indian cricketer Virat Kohli to make an appearance in the upcoming season of the DPL.
DDCA Chief Rohan Jaitley opens up on Virat Kohli
In an exclusive interview with News18, DDCA chief Rohan Jaitley was asked about preparations as well as the expectations of the association for the upcoming season.
He was also asked about Virat Kohli's possible inclusion in the DPL, since the batter has now retired from T20Is as well as Tests for India.
To this, Jaitley answered, "We would be the happiest if he participates, but for a person of his stature, mentorship and guidance to younger cricketers is far more important."
"And I am sure he is very much involved in Delhi cricket as he was earlier on. There is no distinction, and he is there for daily cricket whenever required." Jaitley cited Kohli as a true pioneer for Delhi cricket.
Rohan Jaitley expresses joy on Arya and Digvesh Rathi's IPL contracts
With further talks, he expressed that players being picked in a global tournament like the IPL after playing in the Delhi Premier League (DPL) seems to have satisfied him.
"The IPL truly is a platform where international greats share their experiences with youngsters, and if players from the DPL get a national stature, then, he claimed, "you’re (DDCA) certainly doing something right to begin with."
Virat Kohli's international return delayed with uncertainty over Bangladesh tour
Indian legend Virat Kohli announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game after the conclusion of the ICC T20 World Cup in 2024. The legend retired as the second-highest run-getter in T20s and was eventually surpassed by Babar Azam after his retirement.
Recently, after the conclusion of the IPL 2025, Virat also retired from the longest format of the game just before the onset of a new WTC cycle. Now with only the ODI format left, Kohli doesn't have a packed international schedule.
His return alongside Indian skipper Rohit Sharma was anticipated in the Bangladesh series, where India would feature in ODI games. However, as of now, the series is under uncertainty due to rising political tensions between the two nations. This delays the veteran's return to the field further.
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Tagged:
Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) Rohan Jaitley Virat Kohli India National Cricket Team Delhi Premier League
