Virat Kohli, a titan of international cricket, has made a long-awaited return to domestic cricket after over 12 years. His last appearance on the domestic scene dates back to 2012, and since then, Kohli has amassed over 27,000 runs across international formats. On Tuesday, thousands of enthusiastic fans gathered at a stadium in Delhi to witness his comeback as he joined the Delhi team for training. This move comes amid a personal lean period in Test cricket, prompting the national cricket board to urge him back to the domestic fold following India's 3-1 Border-Gavaskar Trophy loss to Australia.
Kohli's journey in cricket began in 2006 when he debuted domestically at the tender age of 18, though with a modest score of just 10 runs. Over the years, he has become a cornerstone of the Indian cricket team, boasting an impressive Test average of 54.97 until 2019. However, recent years have seen a dip in his performance, with his average plummeting to 30.72 since 2020 and further declining to 22.47 in his last 10 Tests. These statistics underscore the challenging phase Kohli is navigating as he seeks to regain his form.
The excitement surrounding Kohli's return was palpable as fans filled the stadium, eager to see if this domestic stint could reignite his legendary prowess. Ayush Badoni, the captain of the Delhi team, expressed that Kohli's presence has infused the team with excitement and motivation. Meanwhile, Pratham Singh, leading the opposing Railways team, stated that seeing Kohli was an inspiration and that it would drive them to elevate their performance.
"He joined his Delhi team-mates for football drills, bouts of laughter, and 100m sprints, before it was time to hit the batting nets," – ESPNcricinfo
Kohli's return isn't just a boon for fans but also a strategic move aimed at revitalizing his career during this lean patch. The decision to re-enter domestic cricket reflects a concerted effort by both Kohli and the cricket board to address his recent inconsistency and reignite his batting form. Cricket experts and enthusiasts alike are keenly observing this phase in Kohli's career, hopeful that domestic cricket will serve as a crucible for his resurgence.
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