A remarkable scene unfolded at New Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium as Virat Kohli made his long-awaited return to Ranji Trophy cricket. The former India captain’s participation in Delhi’s match against Railways marked his first appearance in India’s premier domestic tournament since 2012, drawing an extraordinary crowd response.

According to ANI sports correspondent Vipul Kashyap, the stadium’s surroundings were transformed into a sea of cricket enthusiasts, with queues extending nearly two kilometers as more than 15,000 fans eagerly awaited entry. This massive turnout demonstrated Kohli’s enduring appeal as cricket’s premier crowd-puller.

When Delhi captain Ayush Badoni won the toss and chose to field, the atmosphere reached fever pitch. The stadium erupted in a thunderous ovation as Kohli emerged onto the field with his teammates. Moved by this overwhelming reception, Kohli responded with a warm gesture of appreciation to the fans, creating a touching moment that highlighted the special connection between the cricket icon and his supporters.

The unprecedented turnout for a domestic cricket match served as a powerful reminder of Kohli’s massive influence on Indian cricket, even at the Ranji Trophy level.