The spotlight remains firmly on Virat Kohli as the cricketing world watches his every move, expecting him to rediscover the brilliance that once made him one of the finest batters of his generation. However, the idea of Kohli turning to domestic cricket for redemption has sparked a debate, with former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu voicing his disagreement.
After a disappointing run in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he managed just 190 runs in five matches—his second-lowest tally in a BGT series—Kohli made the decision to return to domestic cricket, representing Delhi in the Ranji Trophy. The move was seen as a step toward regaining his lost rhythm and confidence. Yet, Rayudu believes otherwise, arguing that a player of Kohli’s caliber doesn’t need to subject himself to domestic cricket to find his form. According to him, all Kohli requires is time and self-belief to return to his best.
Ambati Rayudu wrote on X, “Right now Virat Kohli dsnt need Ranji.His technique was good for 81 hundreds nd it will be good going forward as http://well.No one shud 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 nd believe in him, most importantly leave him alone.”
Right now Virat Kohli dsnt need Ranji.His technique was good for 81 hundreds nd it will be good going forward as https://t.co/74HewkmLjd one shud force him into forcing himself for anything.He needs time to feel good about everything again.The spark within will ignite on its…
— ATR (@RayuduAmbati) February 1, 2025
While Rayudu’s perspective may hold merit, Kohli’s prolonged struggles in Test cricket over the past year have done little to inspire confidence. His return to the domestic circuit after 12 years turned what would have been a routine Ranji match into a grand spectacle. Fans from across Delhi and beyond flooded the Feroz Shah Kotla, eager for a glimpse of the master at work. But their excitement soon turned to disappointment as Kohli’s comeback failed to live up to expectations. Instead, they left the stadium with a new name etched in their memories—Himanshu Sangwan, the young bowler who stole the show.
With questions still looming over Virat Kohli’s form, his journey to reclaim his dominance in red-ball cricket remains one of the most intriguing narratives in Indian cricket.
