Virat Kohli is playing his first Ranji game for Delhi since 2012.
Virat Kohli’s return to the Delhi team for the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025 match against Railways brought Kohli-mania to the Arun Jaitley Stadium as fans thronged to the venue and queued up at 5 AM.
To commemorate this eagerly anticipated event, the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) made stadium admission free for supporters, with spectators just required to display their Aadhar cards. The excitement was apparent, and the gathering grew steadily as the match approached.
Kohli immersed himself in hard two-day training sessions with his Delhi colleagues, many of whom grew up idolizing him. The former India captain was in his element, bonding with the team while meticulously honing his Test batting technique.
His intention to return to domestic cricket derives from a significant drop in his Test form that has lasted since 2020. In 39 Tests during this time, he scored 2,028 runs at an average of 30.72, a dramatic contrast to his dominant years.
His record consists of only three centuries, with the best score of 186. Kohli's stats have remained disappointing throughout the existing World Test Championship cycle, with 751 runs in 14 matches at an average of 32.65, including two centuries and three fifties.