Vijay Dahiya Wants Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma in Delhi's Dressing Room, Says 'I Won't Let Him Go Home'

New Delhi. Delhi's head coach Vijay Dahiya made it clear at a press conference just how serious he is about having senior players in his team's dressing room. Dahiya said he wants to see experienced players like Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma in Delhi's domestic set-up so that young players can learn from them. The statement came during a routine press interaction related to domestic cricket administration, but it immediately sparked discussion. Dahiya's words clearly reflect a coach's wish and thinking, not any formal commitment from any player. Regarding Virat Kohli, Dahiya said, "I won't let him go home. I will tell him to sit down and tell the boys about his journey." He further said that he has seen Kohli at every stage of his career and his experience can become a learning path for young players. This statement highlights a mindset in Delhi's domestic structure where the presence of senior players is seen not just as a means to win matches, but as a resource for training and mentorship. As for Virat Kohli, he now plays only one format at the international level, and that is ODI. He has turned 38, which is considered the post-peak phase of a batter's career. At this age, experience becomes dominant and the body's capacity gradually becomes limited. In such a situation, playing domestic cricket can be an opportunity for Kohli to play a different kind of role. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy last season, he played two matches, which included innings of 131 against Andhra Pradesh and 77 against Gujarat. These two innings do show that he can score at the domestic level, but they should not be seen as any benchmark of form, because this is a small sample of just two innings. Kohli's participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy this season is completely uncertain and partial. The tournament starts on December 14, while the ODI series against Sri Lanka is to be played on December 13, 16 and 19. Because of this calendar clash, Kohli will miss Delhi's first three matches. It is likely that he may join the team from the match against Chandigarh on December 21, but this too depends entirely on Kohli's willingness. Dahiya himself said that he will play only if he wants to play. That is, Kohli stepping onto the domestic field is not a fixed programme, but an option. As for Ishant Sharma, his Test career has been brilliant and he has played 105 Test matches. Playing so many matches is a big achievement for a fast bowler and reflects his long career and fitness. Dahiya said he wants to see Ishant as a mentor in red-ball cricket so that Delhi's young fast bowlers can understand the nuances of Test cricket. However, Ishant himself has stated that he is available for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, i.e. T20, and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, i.e. List-A. This is an important distinction, because his experience in Test cricket is proven, but his current ability in white-ball cricket cannot be judged from his Test record. Availability and performance are two different things. Delhi team's young opening batter Priyansh Arya recently asked an important question during a chase of a 320-run target in 56 overs in a Ranji Trophy match. He asked how Virat Kohli would have chased this target if he were there. This question in itself reflects the respect and curiosity young players have for senior players. Priyansh was dismissed at deep square leg in that match, but his question shows that Delhi's young players want to use the experience of senior players for their development. Looking at Delhi's recent performance, they drew the Ranji Trophy match against Services, in which they got three points on the basis of a first-innings lead. This is a normal result, but it shows that the team is competitive. However, no big conclusion about the team's ranking or position can be drawn from this one match. Delhi's domestic structure is currently looking for a mix of experience and young energy, where on one side there are 38-year-old Kohli and Ishant, who has played 105 Tests, and on the other side there are young players like Priyansh Arya. There is also a practical aspect to coach Dahiya's thinking. Participation of senior international players in domestic cricket is voluntary and is determined according to the international calendar. Kohli's participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy is an example of this, where his involvement is possible only after the Sri Lanka ODI series. This is not a rule or an administrative dispute, but a structural problem between the domestic and international calendars, which comes up every season. Dahiya's statement may spread rapidly in the media, but caution is necessary regarding it. This is the coach's wish, not any statement from Kohli or Ishant. Kohli has not yet responded to this invitation, so assuming that he will play for Delhi would be premature. Similarly, Ishant's Test record should not be taken as proof of his white-ball performance. This news mainly reflects Delhi's coaching philosophy, in which the presence of senior players is being seen as a training resource. The sporting significance of this news lies in the fact that it points towards a culture in domestic cricket where experience is valued not only on the field but also in the dressing room. If Kohli steps onto the Vijay Hazare Trophy field from December 21, his presence at the domestic level could be a big attraction for spectators and broadcast. But all this is speculation right now. For now, what is in front of us is a coach's clear wish that he has two experienced players who can show the way to the youngsters. In conclusion, it can be said that this news is not about the result of any match or the performance of any player, but about the role and possible participation of senior players in Delhi's domestic set-up. Both Kohli and Ishant are players of different formats, and Dahiya is expecting different kinds of contributions from both. Kohli for limited-overs experience and Ishant for red-ball experience. This is a thought-out effort, but it will have an effect only when both players actually step onto the field.