The moment cricket fans have been waiting for has finally arrived – Virat Kohli has returned to the Ranji Trophy after a gap of over 12 years! The 36-year-old batting superstar made his highly anticipated appearance for Delhi on January 30, 2025, in a match against Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
As soon as Kohli walked onto the field, the atmosphere became electric. Thousands of fans had gathered at the stadium, many of them lining up early to catch a glimpse of their cricket idol. It was clear – this wasn’t just another match; this was a moment to remember.
The Crowd Goes Wild
The excitement in the air was contagious, and the crowd couldn’t get enough of Kohli. Over 15,000 fans filled the stadium, making sure they didn’t miss a single second of the action. The energy reached fever pitch as fans pushed and shoved their way through security, desperate to get closer to the man himself. Things got so chaotic that some fans even breached the security and ran onto the field to meet Kohli, with one even touching his feet before being escorted away by security. Three fans were injured during the commotion, and a police bike got damaged in the frenzy. But nothing could put a dampener on the excitement surrounding Kohli’s return.
Despite the chaos, Kohli remained calm and composed, soaking in the adoration of the fans. However, the cricket legend didn’t get the chance to bat on Day 1, as Delhi was in the field after bowling out Railways for 241. But all eyes were still on him, with fans hoping he would take to the crease soon.
Delhi’s Solid Performance
On the field, Delhi was in control. Thanks to a strong bowling performance from Navdeep Saini and Sumit Mathur, they reduced Railways to 66/5 early on. A solid partnership between Upendra Yadav and Karn Sharma helped Railways recover, but Delhi still looked strong as the match progressed. Even though Kohli didn’t have the chance to bat, his presence seemed to fuel the team’s energy, and fans were thrilled to see him back in action.
Virat Kohli’s Special Request: Chili Paneer
Off the field, Kohli’s culinary preferences made headlines too. Sanjay Jha, the canteen head at Arun Jaitley Stadium, revealed that Kohli requested his favorite vegetarian dish – chili paneer – for lunch. It seems the former India captain, who used to love chili chicken, has been a dedicated vegetarian for several years now. His healthy lifestyle choices continue to inspire his fans.
A Quick Return
While Kohli’s return to domestic cricket is making waves, it will be a short stint for him. This will be his only match for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy, as he will soon turn his attention to the ODI series against England. With the 2025 Champions Trophy on the horizon, Kohli is eager to get some runs under his belt and keep his form sharp.
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