Virat Kohli’s return to the Ranji Trophy after 12 years turned into a grand spectacle as thousands of fans flocked to the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi to witness the star batter in action. The Delhi vs. Railways game, which might otherwise have passed off as any other routine domestic game, had become a super match, where an estimated 15,000 spectators watched, one of the highest turnouts for a Ranji Trophy game in recent years.
The chants of “Kohli! Kohli!” echoed through the stadium as people eagerly watched the cricketing icon take the field. Kohli, known for his passionate and energetic approach, kept the crowd entertained with his on-field antics. Though he did not have an impactful outing with the bat, his mere presence electrified the atmosphere, making it feel more like an international fixture than a domestic encounter.
The sheer volume of support made it a challenge for security personnel to manage the enthusiastic crowd, but Kohli ensured that the love he received was reciprocated. After the match, former Indian captain Kohli made a heartwarming gesture when he took time out to mingle with ground staff and police officials.
ALSO READ: Jammu & Kashmir Protest Against Baroda Over Alleged Pitch Fixing In Ranji Trophy Clash
In a video posted by BCCI, here’s Kohli posing for pictures with non-playing staff including security personnel and groundsmen. He also shares a light moment with Railways’ Karn Sharma and other players; as pointed out by many, who debate whether Kohli is a superstar or not.
Moments to cherish. Memories etched 👌😀#RanjiTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/N5GdKnxkAv
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 1, 2025
On the field, Delhi was in total control and won the match by an innings and 19 runs. While the team gave a commendable performance, Kohli failed to deliver in red-ball cricket. The lean patch in the format has certainly nagged Kohli, whose Test average came in mid-20s since 2020, far below his lofty standards.
ALSO READ: Ravi Bishnoi Reveals Suryakumar Yadav’s Powerplay Strategy That Transformed India’s Approach
Fans and experts had also believed that he might regain form by playing domestic cricket, but the veteran batter did not make a scintillating contribution. Kohli fell to Himanshu Sangwan, who delivered a beautiful swinging delivery that went through his defense and sent the stumps flying. Though his return to domestic cricket did not bring him the runs he would have wanted, the experience may still be beneficial as he gears up for the ODI series against England, which is scheduled to start on February 6.
