Captain Ayush Badoni Ready to Lead as Virat Kohli Returns to Ranji Trophy
Ayush Badoni, 25, is embracing the incredible opportunity to captain Delhi as cricketing superstar Virat Kohli returns to Ranji Trophy action for the first time in 13 years. The Lucknow Super Giants all-rounder will lead Delhi in their crucial Group D clash against Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, starting Thursday, January 30.

When asked if he felt nervous about leading a team that includes Kohli and whether he was ready to direct the legendary batter on the field, Badoni remained composed.
“No, nothing like that. I have played against him before and have already experienced that pressure. Playing alongside him will be a lot of fun,” Badoni said at the pre-match press conference, adding that the pitch has a decent grass cover.
Leading a Team of Stars
Badoni previously captained Delhi in their Ranji Trophy fixture against Saurashtra, a match they lost in Rajkot, with Kohli absent due to a neck injury. Now, with both Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant in the squad, Badoni is grateful for the opportunity to lead such experienced players.
“I feel privileged to captain players like Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant. Their presence is invaluable—they inspire the entire team in the dressing room, and we learn so much from them,” he shared.
Having played alongside Pant for years, Badoni highlighted his strong bond with both stars. “Virat brings a lot of energy and fun to the dressing room, which boosts team morale,” he added.
Delhi’s Quarter-Final Hopes
Delhi currently sits sixth in Group D with 14 points from six matches. They trail leaders Tamil Nadu by nine points and are five points behind second-placed Chandigarh. An outright win with a bonus point (seven points) could push them into the top two, securing a spot in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Railways, with two outright wins in six matches, hold fourth place.
Despite the tricky scenario, Badoni remains focused. “We are not looking at the points table. Our goal is an outright win. Anything is possible, and with Virat’s presence, we are even more motivated,” he asserted.
Badoni’s Stellar Ranji Season
The young captain has been one of Delhi’s standout performers this season, amassing 400 runs, including a double century, and taking 12 wickets in just four matches.
However, when asked about his aspirations for an India call-up, Badoni remained grounded. “I am not thinking too much about the future. My focus is on performing well—taking wickets when I bowl and scoring runs when I bat,” he said.
As for Virat Kohli, the star batter has played 23 Ranji Trophy matches, scoring over 1,500 runs at an average of 50. His last appearance for Delhi was in November 2012 against Uttar Pradesh in Ghaziabad. Now, 13 years later, all eyes will be on him as he returns to where it all began.
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