The Indian star batter Virat Kohli was welcomed with chants of ‘RCB RCB’ as he is set to represent Delhi in their clash against Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
The 36-year-old Kohli returned to play in the first-class tournament after 12 years when Delhi locked horns with Railways.
Fans were assembled at the venue early in the morning ahead of the opening day’s play, waiting to get a glimpse of their favourite cricketer. Some of the fans were also heard chanting ‘RCB RCB’ as they looked excited about watching Kohli take the field.
Kohli joined RCB back in 2008 after winning the U19 World Cup in Malaysia and has been part of the same IPL franchise same then.
Kohli has played 23 Ranji Trophy matches for Delhi scoring 1574 runs at an average of 50.77. He has smashed five centuries, with his peak form coming in 2009-10 when Kohli scored 374 runs in three matches with an average of 93.50.
The 2KM long queue outside Arun Jaitley Stadium for Virat Kohli 👑
– Virat Kohli, The Biggest Crowd Puller 🐐 pic.twitter.com/GJVKfsLK76
— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) January 30, 2025
Virat scored 57 runs in his last Ranji appearance during the 2012-13 season against Uttar Pradesh. One of the moments of Kohli’s early career came in 2006 while playing for Delhi against Karnataka at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Delhi scored 235 runs after which UP took a lead of 168, scoring 403 in their innings on the back of Mukul Dagar’s 116 and Mohammad Kaif’s 91. Delhi could only manage a lead of 154 runs in their second innings, after UP lost the match by six wickets.
Kohli scored 43 runs in the second innings before Bhuvneshwar again dismissed him. After 12 years, he would be looking to making his Ranji Trophy return memorable with a big score under his belt.
The DDCA has made special arrangements for the star India batter as he returns to the Arun Jaitley ground where the career start.
