Virat Kohli's return to Ranji Trophy cricket for Delhi broke all records as the DDCA’s (Delhi and Districts Cricket Association) projections of expecting 10,000 fans to watch their match against Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, fell well short of the actual number.

Virat Kohli's unrivaled aura was on full display in and around the Arjun Jaitley Stadium, as thousands of Indian fans lined up to see the superstar make his first home red-ball debut in 13 years.  

Long before the game began at 9.30 a.m. local time, Kohli's devoted fans jostled to enter the stadium.

The DDCA initially offered the about 6,000-capacity 'Gautam Gambhir Stand' for spectators, but when officials realized the crowd situation could get out of hand, they were obliged to open the 'Bishan Bedi Stand,' which can hold around 14,000.

"I have been involved in Delhi cricket for more than 30 years but I have not witnessed such scenes for a Ranji Trophy game. It just shows that Kohli's popularity is unmatched.

"What made it more challenging was that fans entering the stadium coincided with the VIP movement of PM Modi on the outside roads and as part of his strict security protocol and to maintain order, we were instructed by the police to open another stand for the public," an overwhelmed DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma told PTI.

The 'Gautam Gambhir Stand' was already full to the rafters, and it didn't take long to fill the bottom tier of the 'Bishan Bedi Stand', bringing the crowd to figure well beyond 12,000 at the toss.

The roars of "Kohli, Kohli" could be heard from a mile away as the former India captain took the field alongside the rest of the Delhi teammates, who were also experiencing something extraordinary.