Virat Kohli in VJT 2025-26 (X.com/@BluntIndianGal & AFP)
The adept batter, Virat Kohli, is all set to don Delhi's jersey in his long-awaited return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025/26. Having last played in the 2009-10 List A season, the star Indian batter, confirming his availability, has been named in DDCA's 19-member squad for the 50-over competition, with Rishabh Pant named as the captain.
With the BCCI making it mandatory for all members of the Indian team to participate in at least two rounds of the List A event, many star players, including Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Rohit Sharma, confirmed their availability for the upcoming competition. Thus, making the VHT 2025-26 a star-studded event.
The tournament begins on December 24, with Delhi placed in Group D alongside Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Services, Railway, Haryana and Gujarat. Interestingly, despite the limited availability, Kohli is set to earn a lot more than the some of the players selected for the domestic tournament. Let's explore how!
What is Virat Kohli's salary in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26?
It is important to note that the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) match fee structure for domestic List A games, including the Vijay Hazare Trophy, solely depends on the player’s match experiences in the domestic circuit.
The BCCI’s match fee structure for domestic List A events, such as the Vijay Hazare Trophy, is determined solely by a player’s List A match experience. Below is an elaborate description of BCCI's salary structure for the Vijay Hazare Trophy:
- Players with 20 or fewer List A matches earn ₹40,000 per match.
- Players with 21 to 40 List A matches earn ₹50,000 per match.
- Players with 41 or more List A matches earn ₹60,000 per match.
Note: The above payment model applies only to league stage games.
To date, Virat Kohli has featured in 342 List A games; therefore, he automatically falls into the highest-salary bracket. Kohli will receive ₹60,000 per match for representing Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, that is, at least INR 1,80,000 for the three games he is available to play.
Moreover, Kohli is in the A+ category of the BCCI's central contracts, including an annual INR 7 crore retainer and higher international match fees.
When will Virat Kohli play in the Vijay Hazare?
Delhi will start its VHT campaign on December 24 and play seven league matches. However, with Kohli’s next international assignment, a three-match ODI series against New Zealand begins on January 11, he is expected to feature in only three games for Delhi. As per reports, he may play only three fixtures:
- December 24 vs Andhra
- December 26 vs Gujarat
- January 6 vs Railways
Fans can catch their favourite player in action on the dates above at his IPL den, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
