Virat Kohli’s return to domestic red-ball cricket after 13 years has already created an electrifying atmosphere, and his enthusiasm was on full display during Delhi’s Ranji Trophy clash against Railways. The former India captain, known for his unwavering energy, was seen embracing Navdeep Saini in sheer joy after the pacer sent Vivek Singh’s stumps flying.
As soon as the ball crashed into the off-stump, Kohli sprinted towards Saini, wrapping him in a celebratory hug—an image that quickly became the highlight of the match. Kohli’s decision to play in the Ranji Trophy comes at a crucial juncture in his career, as he looks to rediscover his Test form following a string of underwhelming performances.
His presence in the Delhi squad has been highly anticipated, and he has seamlessly brought his trademark intensity to the dressing room. The impact of his leadership and infectious energy has been evident in the team’s performance, especially among the younger players.
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The celebratory moment unfolded in the seventh over of Railways’ innings when Saini delivered a precise good-length delivery that nipped back sharply into the left-handed Singh. The batter completely misjudged the movement, and before he could react, the ball had already dismantled his off-stump. Singh’s 14-ball duck only added to Railways’ troubles, as Delhi’s bowlers maintained a strong grip on the game.
— rohitkohlirocks@123@ (@21OneTwo34) January 30, 2025
At the time of writing, Railways were deep in trouble at 84/5 in the 26th over, courtesy crucial wickets from Saini, Siddhant Sharma, and Money Grewal. Saini shared a dressing room with Kohli at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for three seasons between 2019 and 2021, and he even played under the modern-day great’s captaincy for India.
Reflecting on Kohli’s influence in the Delhi camp, Saini expressed how the legendary batter’s intensity has lifted the entire squad.
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“A lot has changed because he is such a legend. Sharing the dressing room with him is a proud moment for all the boys. Seeing him, everyone realizes how high his intensity is. Automatically, our intensity rises as well. This is a huge plus point for us,” Navdeep Saini shared with *India Today*. With Kohli back in domestic cricket, his energy has proven to be a catalyst for Delhi, and moments like the one he celebrated with Saini highlighted camaraderie and passion that makes cricket special.
