Virat Kohli’s Domestic Return: Fans Flood Stadium After 12-Year Gap
Fans Flood Stadium for Virat Kohli’s Big Return
Thousands of fans have filled the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi as Virat Kohli makes his long-awaited return to domestic cricket. The 36-year-old star batter is playing for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy match against Railways.
This is Kohli’s first domestic appearance in over 12 years. His return comes after the national cricket board asked contracted players to participate in domestic matches following India’s 3-1 Border-Gavaskar Trophy loss to Australia.
Why Is Kohli Playing Domestic Cricket Now?
Kohli’s return to the domestic circuit has sparked immense excitement. It also comes amid a lean patch in Test cricket. Once a dominant force in red-ball cricket, Kohli’s average has dipped significantly since 2020.
Until 2019, Kohli averaged 54.97 in Test cricket. But since 2020, his average has dropped to 30.72—and just 22.47 in his last 10 Tests. In 2024 alone, his average of 23.2 is among the lowest for players with at least 10 innings.
Fans and experts are eager to see if this move helps Kohli regain his form.
The Hype Around Kohli’s Comeback
Even before the match began, fans gathered outside the stadium in large numbers. Akash Kumar, a fan, told ANI that he had been waiting for almost five hours to catch a glimpse of Kohli.
TV and YouTube journalists—rare for a domestic match—were also present. Reports say Kohli joined his Delhi teammates for football drills, laughter sessions, and 100m sprints during training.
Long queues were seen outside the stadium as fans were let in for free to watch the game.
Team Reactions to Kohli’s Arrival
Ayush Badoni, the captain of the Delhi team, said everyone in the squad was “excited and motivated” by Kohli’s presence.
Pratham Singh, the Railways captain, called it an inspiring moment. “It’s motivating for us to see Kohli. We will aim to do better in this match,” he said.
What Happened in the Match?
Delhi won the toss and chose to bowl first, meaning fans will have to wait a bit longer to see Kohli bat.
Kohli made his domestic debut in 2006 at the age of 18, scoring just 10 runs in his first match. Over the next six years, he scored five centuries and as many fifties for Delhi. His last domestic appearance was in 2012.
The ongoing Ranji Trophy season, running from January 5 to March 10, features 32 teams. Kohli’s return has added a new level of excitement to the tournament.
Can This Reignite Kohli’s Red-Ball Career?
Virat Kohli is one of India’s greatest batters, with over 27,000 international runs across formats. He redefined modern cricket with his aggressive and technically sound batting.
But his recent struggles in Test cricket have raised questions. Will this domestic stint help him rediscover his rhythm? Fans are hopeful, and all eyes are on Kohli as he steps back onto the domestic stage.
Conclusion
This story of Virat Kohli’s return to domestic cricket was covered by ESPN, showcasing the massive hype around his comeback. With thousands of fans cheering him on, Kohli’s journey in the Ranji Trophy could be the start of a new chapter in his illustrious career.
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