Virat Kohli returns to Delhi for Ranji Trophy: Captain Ayush Badoni highlights morale boost

Delhi's Ranji Trophy captain Ayush Badoni has welcomed Virat Kohli's return to the team ahead of their match against Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday.
"Everyone is very excited and highly motivated with him in the team. His presence brings a different energy and makes the team feel more lively," Badoni said.
Kohli made a notable return to the Delhi squad on Tuesday, marking his first Ranji Trophy appearance in 12 years at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
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The stadium holds special significance for Kohli, as it was here he began his first-class cricket journey in November 2006 with a brief innings of 10 runs.
Delhi currently stands sixth in Group D with one win, two losses, and three draws. Their last match resulted in a 10-wicket defeat to Saurashtra, where Ravindra Jadeja claimed 12 wickets, including seven in the second innings.
Kohli's last Ranji Trophy match was against Uttar Pradesh in November 2012, where he scored 14 and 42 runs, dismissed both times by Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
In his debut 2006/07 Ranji season, Kohli scored 257 runs in six matches at an average of 36.71, including two half-centuries with a highest score of 90.
The 2007/08 season saw improved statistics with 373 runs in five matches at an average of 53.28, including two centuries and a top score of 169. However, he struggled with consistency in six innings where he failed to cross fifty.
In the 2008-09 season, Kohli maintained steady form with 174 runs in four games at an average of 34.80, including two fifties and a best score of 83.
The 2009/10 and 2010/11 seasons proved crucial for Kohli's career. He scored 374 runs in three matches at an average of 93.50 in 2009/10, with one century and two fifties.
In 2010/11, he continued his strong performance with 339 runs in four matches at an average of 56.50, including two centuries and a highest score of 173.
His last Ranji appearance in the 2012/13 season was brief, scoring 56 runs in one game against Uttar Pradesh.
Overall, Kohli's Ranji Trophy career statistics show 1,573 runs at an average of 50.77, with five centuries and six fifties in 23 matches.
Since 2020, Kohli's Test performance has seen a decline. In 39 Test matches, he has scored 2,028 runs at an average of 30.72, with three centuries and nine fifties.
In the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2023-25, Kohli has accumulated 751 runs in 14 matches at an average of 32.65, with two centuries and three fifties.
The year 2023 proved challenging for Kohli in Test cricket, with 417 runs in 10 Tests at an average of 24.52, including one century and one fifty.