Fans Flock to Arun Jaitley Stadium, But Kohli Falls for Just Six Runs
The excitement at Arun Jaitley Stadium reached its peak as Virat Kohli made his much-anticipated return to domestic cricket in the Ranji Trophy. Cricket enthusiasts from across the capital gathered to witness the star batter in action, with some fans even bearing a striking resemblance to him. However, Kohli’s return to the tournament was short-lived as he was dismissed for just six runs off 15 balls by pacer Himanshu Sangwan.
Kohli Lookalikes Steal the Spotlight
Among the sea of fans was Karan Kaushal, an ardent supporter of Kohli, who has been told for over a decade that he resembles the cricketer. Speaking to ANI, Kaushal expressed his excitement, saying, “I am thrilled to be here today, and I’m confident Kohli will score a hundred. I’ve been keeping this beard for three years to look like him. I believe he will stick to the basics, and we’ll see his full range of shots today.”
Unfortunately, Kaushal’s prediction did not come true, as Kohli fell early in his innings. Another Kohli lookalike present at the stadium shared his thoughts, saying, “People often confuse me with Virat, and it’s always a fun experience. But beyond that, I’m really eager to see his signature cover drive today. I also think it’s great that senior players participate in domestic cricket, as it inspires young cricketers and strengthens the game at the grassroots level.”
Massive Turnout and a Pitch Intruder Incident
According to ESPNCricinfo, 15,000 spectators turned up on Day 1 of the match, reflecting the immense popularity of Kohli even in domestic cricket. The enthusiasm of the fans was evident when one supporter managed to evade security and reach Kohli on the field to touch his feet. The security personnel quickly intervened and removed the intruder from the ground.
Delhi Captain Ayush Badoni Shines with the Bat
While Kohli couldn’t make an impact with the bat, Delhi’s captain, Ayush Badoni, delivered a stunning performance, playing a 77-ball 99-run knock. His resilient innings helped Delhi surpass Railways’ first-innings total of 241, putting them in a strong position in the match.
Despite the disappointment of Kohli’s early dismissal, his presence in the Ranji Trophy has brought renewed attention to domestic cricket, demonstrating the significance of senior players competing at this level.
