Virat Kohli suffers injury ahead of Champions Trophy 2025

"Virat Kohli had a neck sprain and even took an injection for the same," source says.

Listen to article

Virat Kohli, one of India's cricketing stalwarts, has reportedly encountered a significant setback ahead of his potential return to domestic cricket. According to a report, the 36-year-old batter has sustained a neck sprain, which required him to take an injection for relief.

This injury comes at a critical time with the Ranji Trophy set to resume on January 23 and the Champions Trophy less than a month away, casting doubt over Kohli's participation in both tournaments.

"Virat Kohli had a neck sprain and even took an injection for the same," a source from the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) revealed.

As per the report, Kohli is expected to join the Delhi team ahead of their Ranji Trophy clash against Saurashtra on January 23 and may even participate in training sessions. However, there is no official confirmation regarding his availability for the Ranji Trophy fixture.

"There is a possibility of him skipping the first of the two remaining Ranji Trophy games, and a clearer picture could emerge once the DDCA selectors receive an update," the report claimed.

Delhi has two group-stage matches remaining in the Ranji Trophy, against Saurashtra on January 23 and Railways on January 30. Both matches are scheduled to conclude just before India's ODI series against England, which begins on February 6. Kohli is expected to feature in the national squad for the ODI series, provided his injury does not worsen.

Kohli will be hoping the neck sprain does not escalate into a more serious issue that could jeopardize his participation in the highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Meanwhile, another star player, Rishabh Pant, has already confirmed his availability for Delhi's Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra.

This renewed emphasis on domestic cricket follows India's 1-3 Test series loss to Australia. In response, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced a 10-point guideline stressing the importance of domestic cricket participation and limiting family presence during international tours, among other measures.

Kohli’s recovery and potential return to the domestic and international stages will undoubtedly be closely monitored by BCCI.