Virat Kohli Likely to Play County Cricket Ahead of England Test Series 2025

Kohli's decision to play county cricket before the 2025 Test series against England is starting from the beginning, a lot of excitement. The IPL 2025 finals wrap up on May 25, and the first Test match against England is set for June 20, giving Kohli a tight window to get used to the conditions there. Getting some valuable game time in England will be really useful for Kohli, especially if his team, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), doesn't get to the playoffs.

Which County Team Will Virat Kohli Play For?

Kohli has to pick from a lot of county teams. He's never currently facing some very hard competitors before, so finding a team that gives the right balance of being difficult and preparing is key. The teams he can choose from are: Worcestershire, Derbyshire, Essex, Durham, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, Sussex, Warwickshire, Yorkshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Middlesex, and Surrey.There are lots of options.

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Suggested Team: Surrey Cricket Club

One of the strongest options for Kohli could be Surrey. The club has a reputation for high-quality cricket and offers excellent facilities for players to prepare for international tours.

Why Surrey?

Strong Competitors: Surrey is known for its competitive nature, often featuring top-class cricketers, making it a great platform for Kohli to test his skills ahead of the Test series.Ideal Preparation: The county's conditions would suit Kohli’s style of play, especially as he looks to adapt to the English pitches. Surrey’s experience with international players would also ensure that Kohli receives quality opposition and expert coaching. Coaching and Support: With a strong coaching structure led by Richard Johnson, Surrey could provide Kohli with personalized guidance, refining his technique for the Test series.

🚨 VIRAT KOHLI IN COUNTY CRICKET 🚨

- Virat Kohli is likely to play County Cricket to prepare for the Test series against England 2025. (Republic World). pic.twitter.com/Mv7BT3LrFY

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) January 9, 2025

Other Potential Options

• Essex: Under the leadership of Chris Silverwood, Essex has a history of producing top-quality bowlers, and playing here could help Kohli test himself against challenging conditions.
• Yorkshire: Known for its rich cricketing heritage, Yorkshire offers a strong team environment, making it a good choice for a player of Kohli’s stature.
• Durham: Another solid option with competitive play, Durham has consistently proven to be a top choice for international cricketers to prepare for tours.

For those who can't wait to watch Kohli play, you can see the games on TV channels that show cricket or on specific streaming services. These places have the rights to county cricket, so they'll show everything as it happens for fans who want to see Kohli excelling ready for the major matches.

While many teams could benefit from having a player like Kohli in their ranks, Surrey stands out due to its competitive environment and experienced coaching staff. Whichever team Kohli ultimately chooses, his participation in County Cricket is bound to boost his readiness for the Test series against England. This strategic move, if confirmed, will certainly attract the attention of cricket fans globally, eager to see how Kohli adapts to English conditions ahead of one of India’s most important tours.

Virat Kohli Career Stats

Batting & Fielding

Format	Matches	Innings	Not Outs	Runs	High Score	Average	Balls Faced	Strike Rate	100s	50s	Fours	Sixes	Catches	Stumpings
Tests	123	210	13	9230	254*	46.85	16608	55.57	30	31	1027	30	121	0
ODIs	295	283	44	13906	183	58.18	14866	93.54	50	72	1302	151	152	0
T20Is	125	117	31	4188	122*	48.69	3056	137.04	1	38	369	124	54	0
FC	155	258	20	11479	254*	48.23	20511	55.96	37	39	1340	45	152	0
List A	329	316	47	15348	183	57.05	16402	93.57	54	80	1466	175	170	0
T20s	399	382	71	12886	122*	41.43	9602	134.20	9	97	1144	416	182	0