Virat Kohli’s much-anticipated return to the Ranji Trophy after more than 12 years has transformed Delhi’s upcoming clash against Railways on January 30 into a highly celebrated event. The Arun Jaitley Stadium, the venue for this match, witnessed an emotional and heartwarming moment during Kohli’s practice session when he reunited with an old friend and made a young fan’s day unforgettable.
A Starstruck Young Fan Meets His Idol
Among the crowd at the stadium was Kabir, a fourth-grade student dressed in a red jacket and black pants, who eagerly watched Kohli warm up, hoping to meet his cricketing hero. Kabir’s dream came true when Kohli paused his practice session and interacted with him.
Kabir was accompanied by his father, Shavez, who had played age-group cricket with Kohli in the past. Their connection allowed Kabir to approach Kohli, who graciously signed the “Uncle Kohli” poster the young fan was carrying. Kabir also took a memorable photo of Kohli with his father, turning the chilly winter morning into an unforgettable experience for the young fan.
Kohli’s Ranji Trophy Return
The 36-year-old star batter last played in the Ranji Trophy in 2012 against Uttar Pradesh. His return to the premier domestic tournament marks a significant moment for Indian cricket fans. Kohli arrived at the Arun Jaitley Stadium at 9 a.m. and participated in a team huddle before beginning his warm-up routine, which included a brief football session with his Delhi teammates.
New Teammates and Fresh Energy
The Delhi team, featuring several younger players who are sharing the dressing room with Kohli for the first time, appeared thrilled by his presence. Kohli, despite being in the middle of a lean patch in international cricket, looked calm and focused as he prepared for the upcoming match. Delhi head coach Sarandeep Singh monitored the practice session closely.
BCCI’s Focus on Domestic Cricket
Kohli’s participation in the Ranji Trophy aligns with the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) directive for international players to prioritize domestic cricket whenever their schedule allows. Other prominent players, including Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant, also returned to their state teams following a challenging Test series in Australia.
While Rohit (Mumbai) and Pant (Delhi) had limited success in their Ranji outings, Ravindra Jadeja delivered an outstanding performance with a 12-wicket haul for Saurashtra. Shubman Gill also impressed with a century for Punjab, although his team lost the match.
However, Rohit, Pant, and Mumbai’s rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal will not participate in further Ranji Trophy games as they prepare for the ODI series against England starting on February 6 in Nagpur. Meanwhile, KL Rahul is set to represent Karnataka in the domestic competition.
The Road Ahead
As Delhi gears up for their clash against Railways, all eyes will be on Kohli to see how he performs in his Ranji Trophy comeback. His presence has already electrified the atmosphere, with fans eagerly awaiting the action to unfold.
