Virat Kohli missed the Delhi vs Railways Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 match despite confirming his availability earlier, with India’s upcoming ODI preparations taking priority over domestic commitments.
Virat Kohli’s absence from the Delhi vs Railways Vijay Hazare Trophy clash on January 6 raised questions, especially after reports suggested the senior batter was keen to play the fixture. However, fresh details have now clarified why Kohli opted out of the match at the last moment.
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EXPLAINED: Virat Kohli Missing Delhi vs Railways Vijay Hazare Trophy 2026
According to the latest reports, the Indian ODI squad, including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, is scheduled to assemble in Vadodara from January 7 for a preparatory camp ahead of the IND vs NZ ODI series. Vadodara will serve as the base where players will begin structured training sessions, prompting several senior cricketers to withdraw from the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy.
This development confirms that Kohli’s withdrawal from Delhi’s latest Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Railways was linked to India’s ODI preparations rather than fitness or workload concerns. Despite his willingness to represent Delhi, the timing of the national team camp made it impractical for him to continue in the domestic tournament.
Earlier, there were indications that both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma would feature in only two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches for their respective teams before moving on to international duties. With the India ODI camp beginning almost immediately after Delhi’s Railways fixture, Kohli’s availability window effectively closed.
A report by Jagran News further stated that Kohli is set to reach Vadodara by January 7, leaving no scope for participation in the remainder of Delhi’s Vijay Hazare Trophy fixtures. This explains his absence from the Railways match despite prior confirmation.
Rishabh Pant plays Delhi vs Railways match
Notably, Rishabh Pant, who has been leading Delhi in the tournament, is playing the Railways match and is expected to make it his final appearance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy before joining the India squad for the New Zealand series.
The situation is not limited to Kohli alone. Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja are also expected to miss the remaining Vijay Hazare Trophy matches due to their involvement in the ODI series. The final of the tournament is scheduled for January 18, the same day the IND vs NZ ODI series concludes, making extended domestic participation unlikely.
The first ODI between India and New Zealand will be played on January 11, with preparations taking precedence as India looks to start the series on a strong note.
