Just before the series against Australia, some reports said that both players would need to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy if they wanted to be part of the Africa tour. The team management didn’t confirm anyone for the World Cup, saying it is “two years away.” When Rohit lost the ODI captaincy to Shubman Gill, it upset some people. However, both Rohit and Kohli answered back in style, scoring runs for India. In the recent ODI against South Africa, Kohli hammered 135 runs, and Rohit scored 57 as the duo shared a 136-run stand for the second wicket.
This comes on the back of another century partnership that the two forged in the Sydney ODI, with Rohit's unbeaten 121 and Kohli's 74 not out taking India over the line. After winning the Player of the Match accolade, Kohli indirectly made it clear that he doesn't need “excessive preparation”, which was seen by many as a direct jibe at Agarkar and Gambhir's directive of playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
On Tuesday afternoon, cameras at the Ranchi airport also picked up another selector, Pragyan Ojha, having an animated conversation with Kohli just minutes before the Indian team took a flight to travel to Raipur, the venue for the second ODI. Just moments before making his way to speak to Kohli, Ojha was spotted seated alongside Gambhir as well. India will play a three-match ODI series against New Zealand, beginning January 11, with Kohli set to be part of the squad. He will most likely join the Indian camp 2-3 days before the series begins. Hence, he is more than likely to play at least three Vijay Hazare Trophy matches.
However, it remains unclear which matches Kohli will feature in, especially since he is expected to fly to London once the South Africa series concludes on Saturday, December 6. Delhi will face Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Saurashtra, Odisha, Services, Railways, and Haryana in the group stage, with three of these matches happening before January 11.
Kohli last played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2010, captaining Delhi against Services. His comeback ends a 15-year break, and the former India captain is now set to play a key role in Delhi cricket, which seems to be in urgent need of improvement after poor performances in the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
