Virat Kohli is all set to make his Ranji Trophy 2024-25 comeback after 13 years as he will play for Delhi in their match against the Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The match will begin on January 30 and will be live-streamed on the JioCinema website and mobile app.
Despite Delhi's impending elimination, the match is expected to be one of the most high-profile domestic contests in recent memory, given Kohli's return to the competition and the fact that it will be played at home.
Following training sessions in Alibaug under the careful eye of veteran India batting coach Sanjay Bangar, Kohli flew to Delhi over the weekend and practiced on both days in preparation for the match.
Despite being criticized for his batting performance in India's last two Test series, the 36-year-old had a good time with his new colleagues at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Delhi team manager Mahesh Bhati, who had coached him during his U17 and U19 days, revealed that Kohli carried his own kit bag during practice, and when the manager asked the young players to help Kohli, the ace batter refused help.
"He is still the same. He is the same Virat for everyone. In fact, on the first day of the training session, he went inside the dressing room and carried his own kit bag. Then, he practiced the entire day and carried his kit bag back to the dressing room.
I said, 'Virat, teri help kara dete hain ["Virat, let us help you].' He replied, 'Bhaia, kya baat kar rahe ho? Mere khelne ka samaan hai, mai khud leke jaunga ["Bhaia, what are you saying? It's my playing gear, I'll carry it myself]'. He carried the kit bag on his shoulders and went inside the dressing room," Bhati told Times of India.
Bhati also revealed the laughter he shared with Kohli as he unpacked his kit bag to prepare for the training session. Kohli reminisced about the old days of playing on matting wickets when Bhati told him that no one played in matting anymore.
"I was the coach when Virat played U19. He played under my coaching only. We have shared a great bond since the beginning. I also love cracking jokes, and so does he. So, we were recalling old memories and bursting into laughter.
The first thing he asked was, 'Bhaia, matting pe ab ladke nahi khelte kya? [Bhaia, don't boys play on matting anymore?]' I said, 'Pagal ho gaya hai tu! Matting kaha hai ab? Ab kahin Delhi mein matting nahi milegi [Where is matting now? You won’t find matting anywhere in Delhi anymore]
He said he used to play cut shots and pull shots on matting. He added, 'Bhaia, maza bada aata tha pull marne mein, awaaz sahi aati thi [Bhaia, hitting pull shots was so much fun; the sound was just perfect],” Bhati added.
Kohli will next be seen in India colors in the 3-ODI series against England in February and then in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.