“Virat Kohli is ready for ODI World Cup” - Kohli’s childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma

There was a feeling that Virat Kohli's appearance for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy after a 15-year absence was about more than simply carrying out the BCCI's directive. His aim was clear, and his hunger was evident. Kohli's 131 against Andhra was a masterful effort that continued to pave the way for the ICC ODI World Cup 2027. 

Delhi needed someone to hold on end up and score runs as they chased a hard 299 against Andhra, and Kohli accomplished both. With 131 off 101 balls, 14 fours and three sixes, with 74 balls remaining in the chase, Kohli batted like a format master. Against a strong Andhra team, it was an excellent knock.

It was Kohli's fifth List A century for Delhi, his 58th overall, and it helped him surpass 16,000 List A runs, making him the second Indian to do so. He was the fastest player in men's List A history, finishing in just 330 innings. 

The ease was even more noteworthy. There was hunger, clean shot selection, and deft footwork. Kohli was observed dominating, in contrast to other veterans who play merely to fill up the numbers. 

“He is in brilliant form”- Virat Kohli’s childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma

He maintained his dominant form, which he shown when he destroyed South Africa with 302 runs at an astounding average of 151. Kohli’s childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma saw enough to make a bold call on the future.

“He is in brilliant form. He continued from where he left against South Africa and took Delhi to victory. He played domestic cricket after a long time, but still performed exceptionally well. He is the most consistent player in the Indian team and is fully ready for the World Cup,” Sharma told ANI.

On December 24, Rishabh Pant won the toss and decided to bowl first against Nitish Kumar Reddy's Andhra Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh reached 298/8 thanks to Ricky Bhui's 122 off 105 balls as wickets fell all around him.

Virat Kohli and Priyansh Arya helped the run chase get off to a scorching start. Arya hit five sixes and seven fours in his 44-ball 74. Kohli needed 39 balls to reach his fifty. Arya and Kohli collaborated for 113 runs for the second wicket. 

Nitish Rana then joined Kohli in the middle. In the 1990s, Shaik Rasheed prevented Kohli from being dismissed by dropping his catch at covers off Satyanarayana Raju's bowling. To reach his century, the 37-year-old needed 83 balls. Kohli continued to play fast. He scored 131 runs off of 101 deliveries. During his knock, he hit 14 fours and three sixes. Rana also left for Raju for a 55-ball 77.

However, Delhi managed to win the game by 4 wickets in the end.

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