Virat Kohli’s much-anticipated return to the Ranji Trophy after 13 years created an electrifying atmosphere at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday. Fans gathered in huge numbers, arriving early in the morning to witness the cricketing icon in action as Delhi faced Railways in the domestic tournament. The immense turnout led to crowd management challenges at the stadium, with the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) initially allowing entry through only one gate. Delhi Police later intervened, opening additional gates to ease the congestion. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the sheer scale of the gathering underscored Kohli’s undiminished popularity, even at the domestic level.

For many fans, this match was all about Virat Kohli. Supporters from different parts of India traveled to Delhi just to see their cricketing hero play in Ranji cricket again. A fan, Mohd Gul Nawaz, expressed his excitement, saying he had come from Uttar Pradesh solely to watch Kohli in action. Another supporter, Shantanu Mishra, emphasized that such a massive turnout for a Ranji Trophy match was unheard of in Delhi, attributing the crowd size entirely to Kohli’s presence. Akash Kumar, another passionate fan, revealed that he had been waiting at the stadium since 5:30 AM to secure a good spot, highlighting Kohli’s deep-rooted influence on Indian cricket enthusiasts.

The match against Railways is a crucial one for Kohli as he seeks to regain his Test form. After years of dominating international cricket, the 36-year-old batsman has turned to domestic cricket in search of consistency in the longest format of the game. His presence in the Ranji Trophy is a rare sight, as modern superstars rarely return to domestic cricket after establishing themselves internationally. Kohli’s decision to play for Delhi is seen as an effort to rediscover the hunger and discipline that once made him a formidable force in red-ball cricket. His declining Test performances since 2020 have been a concern, with his average dropping to 30.72 in 39 matches. His best innings in this period was a 186-run knock, but overall, he has struggled to find his rhythm.

To prepare for his Ranji return, Kohli engaged in intense net sessions with his Delhi teammates, working closely with head coach Sarandeep Singh. He focused on refining his technique, particularly against spin bowling and deliveries outside the off-stump, which have troubled him in recent years. His training sessions reflected his determination to address weaknesses and improve his backfoot play, signaling his commitment to making a strong comeback. Kohli’s return has not only boosted the morale of his young teammates, led by captain Ayush Badoni, but has also rekindled public interest in the Ranji Trophy.

Kohli’s history in the Ranji Trophy dates back to the 2006/07 season, when he made his debut as a promising young batsman. In his first season, he managed a respectable 257 runs in six matches at an average of 36.71, with a best score of 90. His following seasons saw steady improvements, with his 2007/08 performance yielding 373 runs in five matches at an average of 53.28, including two centuries. The 2008/09 season further solidified his reputation as he continued to produce valuable knocks, despite some inconsistencies. However, it was the 2009/10 and 2010/11 seasons that marked his true breakthrough, with Kohli amassing 374 runs at an average of 93.50 in the former and 339 runs at an average of 56.50 in the latter. These performances, combined with his white-ball dominance for India, earned him a Test call-up in 2011.

Since then, Kohli’s appearances in domestic cricket have been rare, with his last Ranji match dating back to 2012 against Uttar Pradesh, where he was dismissed for 14 and 42 by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. His overall Ranji record remains impressive, with 1,573 runs in 23 matches at an average of 50.77, including five centuries and six fifties. As he steps onto the Ranji stage once again, fans and cricketing experts alike are eager to see if this return to the roots of his cricketing journey will spark another golden run in Test cricket for the modern-day legend.

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