Watch: Virat Kohli acknowledges massive support as fans flood Delhi stadium on his Ranji return
Published - 30 Jan 2025, 01:12 PM | Updated - 30 Jan 2025, 01:13 PM
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The atmosphere at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi for the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 game against Railways has been sensational. The sole reason behind that has been the India National Cricket Team batter Virat Kohli, who is making his return to domestic cricket after 12 years.
Virat Kohli is playing for Delhi in the ongoing game against Railways, and this comes after the BCCI made it mandatory for all the contracted players to play domestic cricket. As the premier batter returned to where he started, a massive number of fans turned out to see their favorite player.
Fans waited in queue since 3 AM to enter the stadium, more than 15,000 fans gathered at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi
Fans waited in the queue since 3 AM to enter the stadium, and more than 15,000 fans have gathered at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The DDCA initially opened two games, but the number of fans was such that they were forced to open gate no.18 as well and add extra security as well.
Even, India National Cricket Team batter Kohli was surprised by the number of fans that turned out to see the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 game between Delhi and Railways. With many fans coming for him, the premier batter also acknowledged fans' gestures for him.
In the video posted by the BCCI, Kohli can be seen waving his hand to thank his fans. The fans also can be heard chanting "Kohli, Kohli".
Watch: Virat Kohli thanks fans for turning out in huge numbers
Here's the video:
The fans have come out in huge numbers for the Delhi vs Railways match 👌👌
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 30, 2025
The Arun Jaitley Stadium is buzzing 🔥#RanjiTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/IhwXam3F5T pic.twitter.com/ATCyjCAX1Y
At first, DDCA opened only a 6,000-capacity ‘Gautam Gambhir Stand’ for spectators. However, as the number of fans increased, the ‘Bishan Bedi Stand’, which can accommodate around 14,000 people, was also opened, and within minutes, the two Stadiums were packed.
With fans turning out in huge numbers to support Virat Kohli, the batter, too, would be keen to give fans something in return. He would want to get a big score and help his team win the game as it is a must-win for Delhi in order to keep its chances alive of reaching the knockouts.
Virat Kohli has been struggling to get going in the Test cricket of late
Virat Kohli has been struggling to get going in the Test cricket of late. The premier batter hasn't been able to score runs freely. He looked poor in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, where he managed just 190 runs in the five games that he played.
Virat Kohli slammed a century in the first match at Perth and it seemed that he will be back to his best. But the demons of the outside off stump came to haunt him as he managed just 90 runs in the last four innings as he was troubled most by Scott Boland.
Virat Kohli would want to get some runs under his belt and get some confidence under his belt. It remains to be seen how many runs will he get in the game.
