Royal Challengers Bangalore icon Virat Kohli will miss Delhi's upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Railways, confirming his adherence to the BCCI's mandatory domestic participation rules ahead of national duty. Kohli, who was initially expected to feature, has withdrawn from the sixth-round clash scheduled for Tuesday, January 6.
The BCCI mandates that centrally contracted players must participate in at least two domestic matches when away from the national team. Kohli has already fulfilled this requirement, starting the season strongly with a magnificent century in the opening round and following it up with a solid 77 in the second, earning him a Player of the Match award.
Kohli will now join the Indian squad, led by Shubman Gill
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“The BCCI has made it mandatory for the centrally contracted players to take part in at least two matches of the domestic competition when away from national duty. Since Kohli has already played a couple of games, he is not required to play further.”
Batters with the most half-centuries in IPL 2025
| Rank | Player | Team | fifty-makers |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 8 fifties | |
#2 | Rajasthan Royals | 6 fifties | |
#3 | Punjab Kings | 6 fifties | |
| #4 | Gujarat Titans | 6 fifties | |
| #5 | Gujarat Titans | 6 fifties |
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Meanwhile, Kohli has 27,975 runs in 556 matches for the Men in Blue. He needs just 42 runs to become the second-highest run-getter in international cricket, eclipsing the legendary Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter.
The Delhi batter has amassed 8,661 runs from 259 innings in the IPL, averaging 39.55 at a strike rate of 132.86. He needs 339 runs in IPL 2026 to enter the 9,000-run club.
Kohli needs just 94 runs to overtake Tendulkar and become India's leading run-scorer against the Black Caps.
“The BCCI has made it mandatory for the centrally contracted players to take part in at least two matches of the domestic competition when away from national duty. Since Kohli has already played a couple of games, he is not required to play further.”
