(Source X)
Cricket enthusiasts have something to look forward to as former Indian captain Virat Kohli is set to make his much-anticipated return to domestic cricket with the Duleep Trophy 2024, beginning on September 5. This tournament will be a key part of the Indian players’ preparation for their upcoming Test series against Bangladesh at home.
The Duleep Trophy 2024 will feature a number of high-profile players, following a recent white-ball series against Sri Lanka. In that series, India experienced a rare ODI series loss after 27 years, just after a clean sweep of the T20I series under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership.
Virat Kohli’s 14-year-old tweet resurfaces as fans eagerly await his return to the Duleep Trophy.
The Indian cricket team stars are currently on a brief hiatus before turning their attention to red-ball cricket. With Bangladesh scheduled to visit India for a two-match Test series in September, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has instructed key players to compete in the Duleep Trophy 2024. This move aims to enhance their skills and maintain match fitness.
In addition to Virat Kohli, prominent players such as Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant are anticipated to take part in the tournament’s opening round. There are also strong indications that both Virat Kohli and Indian captain Rohit Sharma will be featured in the Duleep Trophy 2024.
“Wish me luck for the Duleep Trophy”
As anticipation builds for Virat Kohli’s return to domestic cricket, a 14-year-old tweet from the former Indian captain has resurfaced and is causing a stir on social media. This old post is adding to the excitement surrounding his participation in the Duleep Trophy.
On January 25, 2010, Kohli tweeted: “Wish me luck for the Duleep Trophy” on his X handle (formerly known as Twitter). At that time, Kohli was already a key player in India’s white-ball squad but had yet to make his Test debut, which would come in 2011. Fans are now revisiting this post to extend their good wishes as he gears up for the upcoming tournament.
Can Kohli rediscover his form in domestic cricket after 12 years?
Significantly, Virat Kohli hasn’t participated in domestic cricket since 2012, with his last appearance coming for Delhi against Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy. His most recent stint in the Duleep Trophy dates back to 2010, when he played for the North Zone and scored a half-century against the West Zone.
Throughout his first-class career, Kohli has accumulated 2,249 runs in 32 matches (48 innings), which includes seven centuries and eight half-centuries for Delhi. While there have been speculations about his participation in the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2024, it increasingly appears that he might not take part in the domestic tournament before the Test series against Bangladesh.
The report suggests Kohli is unlikely to participate in the 2024 Duleep Trophy.
According to an ESPNcricinfo report, Virat Kohli’s participation in the Duleep Trophy 2024 is subject to his personal decision, as the BCCI has extended special consideration to him. The report also mentioned that neither Kohli, Rohit Sharma, nor Jasprit Bumrah will be featured in the tournament.
Kohli has been struggling with form recently, managing just a single fifty in the T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa. His performances in the recent ODI series against Sri Lanka included scores of 24, 14, and 20. In 2024, he has accumulated 296 runs across 14 matches (15 innings). Kohli will be keen to regain his form and make a significant impact in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.
