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Virat Kohli’s Return Draws Massive Crowd, Triggers Entry Rush At Arun Jaitley Stadium

New Delhi [India], January 30: The much-anticipated return of Virat Kohli to the Ranji Trophy after 13 years caused a huge turnout at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday. Fans gathered from the early morning, eager to see the cricket icon in action as Delhi faced Railways in the domestic tournament.

The excitement led to a rush at the stadium’s entry points, with only one gate initially open for entry. Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) later confirmed that additional gates were opened to manage the crowd. Delhi Police reported no injuries, stating, “There was a rush at the time of entry as only one gate was being used by DDCA. Soon, the other gates were opened.”

Kohli’s presence drew a massive crowd, highlighting his immense popularity even at the domestic level. “I have come from UP just to watch the match. I am here for Virat Kohli,” said fan Mohd Gul Nawaz. Another supporter, Shantanu Mishra, remarked, “This kind of crowd at a Ranji match is only possible for Virat Kohli. Otherwise, there’s no reason for such a large gathering. Maybe in Mumbai, it’s common, but not in Delhi.”

Many fans arrived early to secure the best view, including Akash Kumar, who had been waiting since 5:30 a.m. to watch his idol. “Everyone here is more excited for Kohli than anything else,” he shared.

Kohli’s return to the Ranji Trophy has injected new life into the tournament. After years of record-breaking performances as captain, Kohli is now focusing on rediscovering the consistency that made him one of India’s greatest cricketers. His presence in the match against Railways is a much-anticipated moment as he continues his journey towards redemption in Test cricket.

In preparation for the match, Kohli had a two-day practice session with Delhi teammates, including a bonding session with young captain Ayush Badoni. During intense net sessions, Kohli worked on addressing issues in his Test game, such as tackling spin bowling and deliveries outside off-stump, alongside his teammates and head coach Sarandeep Singh.

Kohli’s recent Test form has been under scrutiny, with a decline in his performances since the start of 2020. In 39 Test matches during this period, he has averaged 30.72 with just three centuries and nine fifties. His disappointing year in 2023 saw him score only 417 runs in 10 Tests at an average of 24.52, with just one century.

Kohli’s return to the Ranji Trophy marks a significant moment in Indian cricket, as it’s rare for superstars to go back to domestic cricket to rediscover their form. His last appearance in Ranji was in November 2012, where he was dismissed for scores of 14 and 42 by pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Since making his Ranji debut in the 2006-07 season, Kohli has scored 1,573 runs at an average of 50.77, including five centuries and six fifties in 23 matches. His return to the tournament has captured the attention of fans eager to see him don the Delhi jersey once again and work towards recapturing his peak form in Test cricket after a challenging period.

The Delhi-Railways match is shaping up to be a must-watch, with fans hoping to see Kohli’s inspiring comeback on the field.

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