Virat Kohli’s Ranji Trophy return cut short as fans leave disappointed

Virat Kohli’s highly anticipated comeback to the Ranji Trophy ended in disappointment as he was dismissed for just six runs against Railways on Friday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. His brief stay at the crease lasted only 15 deliveries, with a single boundary to his name, leaving fans disheartened after expecting a vintage performance from the star batter.

Kohli’s dismissal came at the hands of Himanshu Sangwan in dramatic fashion. After showcasing a glimpse of his class with a stunning straight drive off Sangwan, he fell on the very next delivery. The ball, angled in on a fullish length just outside off, seamed in sharply as Kohli attempted another drive, but a gap between bat and pad allowed it to crash into the off-stump, sending the bails flying. The stadium, which had been buzzing with excitement, saw fans begin to exit soon after.

His wicket left Delhi struggling at 87/3, still trailing Railways by 140 runs. Despite the early setback, fans remain hopeful that if Delhi gets a second innings, Kohli will have another chance to make an impact.

The Arun Jaitley Stadium had an electric atmosphere on Day 1, an unusual sight for a domestic cricket match. Thousands of fans had gathered, eager to watch Kohli in action, leading to additional security measures and extra gates being opened to accommodate the crowd. According to ESPNCricinfo, over 15,000 spectators attended the match.

In another notable moment, a fan breached security and ran onto the field to meet Kohli. The intruder managed to evade security and reach the star batter, touching his feet in admiration before being escorted off the ground. Kohli, known for his calm demeanor, requested security personnel to handle the situation gently and avoid any harsh treatment of the fan.

Meanwhile, the Group D clash began with Delhi’s bowlers putting Railways under early pressure. Fast bowlers Navdeep Saini and Siddhant Sharma reduced Railways to 21/3, giving the home side an advantage in the match. However, the focus remained on Kohli, whose early exit left fans yearning for a bigger performance in the tournament.