“When the King Walks Back Home”Indian cricket witnessed a rare and emotional moment as Virat Kohli returned to domestic cricket after 15 long years, representing Delhi against Andhra Pradesh in the opening match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 on December 24, 2025. The match, played at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru, instantly became one of the most talked-about domestic games in recent history.
Kohli’s return wasn’t just about runs — it was about legacy, roots, and reconnecting with where it all began.
🏟️ Venue Change Adds to the Drama
Originally, the match was scheduled at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, but due to security concerns raised by the Karnataka government, permission was denied following previous crowd-related incidents. As a result, the game was shifted to the BCCI Centre of Excellence, and no spectators were allowed inside the stadium.
Despite the closed doors, excitement spilled over social media, with fans eagerly tracking every update of Kohli’s much-awaited domestic appearance.
🪙 Toss Update & Early Overs
Delhi, led by Rishabh Pant, won the toss and chose to bowl first, showing early intent. Andhra Pradesh started cautiously, reaching 18/0 in 5.5 overs, with Nitish Reddy captaining the side and KS Bharat behind the stumps.
All eyes, however, remained fixed on the Delhi dugout — waiting for Kohli’s turn to bat.
🏏 Delhi Playing XI (Star-Studded)
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Rishabh Pant (Captain & Wicketkeeper)
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Priyansh Arya
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Arpit Rana
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Virat Kohli
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Ayush Badoni
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Nitish Rana
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Simarjeet Singh
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Harsh Tyagi
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Ishant Sharma
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Prince Yadav
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Navdeep Saini
🏏 Andhra Pradesh Playing XI
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Nitish Reddy (Captain)
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KS Bharat (Wicketkeeper)
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Ricky Bhui
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Ashwin Hebbar
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SK Rasheed
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Hemanth Reddy
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KS Raju
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Tripurana Vijay
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Saurabh Kumar
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Satyanarayana Raju
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SDNV Prasad
⭐ Why This Match Matters
Virat Kohli last played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy during the 2010-11 season, making this his first white-ball domestic match for Delhi since 2013. With international breaks allowing senior players to return to domestic cricket, this match symbolizes a revival of domestic importance in Indian cricket.
As of 10:14 AM IST, ball-by-ball updates were limited, but anticipation peaked around Kohli’s batting impact and form following the ODI series.
This Group B Elite clash is more than just a domestic fixture — it’s a reminder that even legends return to their roots.
📌 Stay tuned — because when Virat Kohli bats, history usually follows.