Virat Kohli Set for a Red-Ball Comback?

Middlesex County Cricket Club, which is based at the famous Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, is eager to sign former Indian captain Virat Kohli for the upcoming English County Championship and Metro Bank Cup. Virat Kohli is a global cricket star who has retired from T20 internationals after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup, and recently, he also stepped down from Test cricket. Middlesex believes Kohli’s skills and fame could help their team shine in upcoming domestic tournaments.

Virat Kohli has played 123 Test matches and scored an impressive 9,230 runs in his Test career. His highest score in this format is an unbeaten 254. He has an average of 46.85. He has also scored 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries in his test career. His consistent performances over the years have established him as one of the modern greats in red-ball cricket.

In red-ball cricket (Tests) played in England, Virat Kohli has featured in 17 matches and scored a total of 1,096 runs. His highest score in these conditions is 149, with an average of 33.21. He has recorded 2 centuries and 5 half-centuries. These performances reflect his resilience and ability to face challenging English conditions in the longest format of the game.

Is Virat Kohli Comeback In Red Ball Cricket Real?

Middlesex sees Virat Kohli as a huge boost for their squad. Alan Coleman, their director of cricket, told the Guardian, “Kohli is a massive star, and we want to talk to him about joining us.” The County Championship is a first-class tournament, and the Metro Bank Cup is a 50-over competition. Kohli can play in both since they aren’t T20 formats, which he’s barred from due to his contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The BCCI stops him from playing in England’s T20 Blast or The Hundred. Middlesex hopes Virat Kohli’s talent will make their team stronger and bring more fans to Lord’s. His experience could help them win matches this season.

Why County Cricket Could Help Kohli?

It’s still unclear that Virat wants to play red-ball cricket like the County Championship, especially after retiring from Tests. But the Metro Bank Cup could be a great fit for him. He still aims to play for India in the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. The 50-over format of the Metro Bank Cup is similar to ODIs, so it would give him good practice. India has no ODI matches until August 2025, when they might face Bangladesh.

If that series is cancelled due to political tensions, Kohli won’t play ODIs until October 2025 against Australia. The Metro Bank Cup could keep him in form and ready for those games. However, joining Middlesex would mean a busy schedule and adjusting to a new team, which could be tough. Kohli would need to balance his time to stay fresh for India’s matches.
Middlesex’s interest in Kohli shows how much they value his skills and star power. For Kohli, playing in England could be a smart way to prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup, especially if India’s ODI schedule stays light. But he’ll have to decide if county cricket fits with his goals and energy after a long career. The County Championship might be less appealing, but the Metro Bank Cup could be a perfect chance to stay sharp. Fans are very excited to see that Virat will take this step, as it could add a fresh chapter to his amazing career.