Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has said that Virat Kohli shouldn’t be bound to play in Ranji Trophy. The former India skipper’s name is making the rounds, following his dismal performance in Delhi’s seventh-round Ranji Trophy 2024-25 game against Railways played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Eyes were eagerly set on Kohli as It was the veteran’s first appearance in the distinguished domestic tournament after more than 12 years. Delhi won the game comfortably by an innings and 19 runs but Kohli, who was looking to make an impressive comeback, got dismissed after scoring only six runs off just 15 deliveries. The star player failed to confront the Himanshu Sangwan challenge. Kohli’s failure disheartened his several supporters who marked their presence to watch their favourite star shine with the bat.
Discussing Kohli’s Ranji Trophy return, Ambati Rayudu said the Virat Kohli doesn’t need to make appearances in the domestic Test tournament to regain his form. Taking to X, he wrote, ”Right now Virat Kohli doesn’t need Ranji. His technique was good for 81 hundreds and it will be good going forward as well. No one should force him into forcing himself for anything. He needs time to feel good about everything again. The spark within will ignite on its own. Basically respect and believe in him, most importantly leave him alone.”
Kohli’s horrendous run with the bat since 2020
Kohli has come under fierce criticism for his continuous failure with the bat. In India’s recently-concluded Test season, the India legend has racked up only 328 runs with a ton and as many half-centuries in 19 innings of 10 Tests, at a terrible average of 22.47. Since 2020, he has shown up in 39 Tests for India and has amassed only 2028 runs in 69 innings, at a dismal average of 30.72.
During this period, Virat Kohli has been able to score only three centuries and nine fifties. His ordinary batting numbers drew the attention of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), who made it mandatory for Kohli to play India’s illustrious domestic tournament. Kohli will be seen donning India’s jersey to participate against the Jos Buttler-led England in a three-match ODI series to be played at home from February 6 in Nagpur.
