A big update is coming in: King Kohli will not be able to play what could have been his last match at his home ground in an India jersey. It is deeply disappointing that a cricketer who has given so much to the country could miss the chance to play one final international match in the city where his journey began.
This is a major letdown from the BCCI and the Delhi and District Cricket Association. For a player widely regarded as one of the greatest in cricket history, a farewell appearance in front of his home crowd would have meant far more than another ODI.
Virat Kohli’s Home Match Moves to Visakhapatnam
India’s first ODI against Sri Lanka on December 13, 2026, was scheduled to take place at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. The BCCI has now moved the fixture to the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam following a request from the DDCA.
The board cited potential weather disruption and proposed stadium renovation work. Reports leading up to the announcement also highlighted pollution concerns and work on the outfield.
These circumstances raise a serious question about planning. If the ground needed renovation and Delhi’s conditions in December were a concern, why was such an important fixture allotted without ensuring the venue would be ready?
A Painful Blow to Delhi Fans
Kohli grew up in Delhi and developed his cricket here. For supporters who have followed his journey from a local youngster to an Indian great, this match offered an opportunity to watch him represent the country on familiar ground.
With the 2027 World Cup expected to be the final chapter of his international career, the December fixture carried special emotional value. His retirement date has not been announced, but the possibility of this being his last India appearance in Delhi made it an occasion fans did not want to miss.
It could also have been a special day for his family, with the opportunity to watch him play in the city where it all started. That prospect has now disappeared from this fixture.
Virat Kohli’s 2026 Form Makes the Disappointment Greater
Kohli is not simply approaching the closing stage of his career. He is playing outstanding ODI cricket, combining his familiar consistency with a much more aggressive scoring rate.
Through November 4, he had scored 626 runs in 10 ODIs in 2026, with two centuries and four half-centuries. His average was 69.55, while his strike rate stood at 120.61.
His latest innings was another example: 74 off 51 balls against New Zealand in Auckland, including 13 fours and a six. Earlier, he had smashed an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls against West Indies.
This is the form Delhi’s supporters were hoping to witness in person. Instead, they have lost an opportunity to see Kohli’s attacking batting in an India jersey at his home ground—at a stage of his career when every such appearance carries extra meaning.
