Jan 29 || TC - The Delhi vs Railways Ranji Trophy match, initially excluded from the broadcast schedule, saw a shift in attention once Virat Kohli’s participation was confirmed.
Kohli’s involvement in Thursday’s game at the Arun Jaitley Stadium has ignited a surge of activity at the venue. By Wednesday evening, broadcast teams had set up equipment, preparing for live coverage. The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) is also ensuring free access to drinking water for spectators, while opening the north and old clubhouse stands for the next four days. The decision to open gates 16, and possibly gate 6, highlights the excitement generated by Kohli’s return to domestic red-ball cricket.
Kohli, who captured the crowd’s attention during Tuesday’s practice, was once again the focal point on Wednesday. Arriving at the stadium at 8:00 AM ahead of the match, he was the first Delhi player to begin his intense gym session, which lasted for nearly an hour.
Before his batting practice at the Hill B nets, Kohli took part in a brief 15-minute friendly football match. His batting session began with a practice bat, thinner and without its usual sticker, and a focus on both defensive and attacking strokes, primarily front foot shots. Under the morning sunlight, he defended balls with precision, often playing on the front foot, while executing pulls along the ground.
Kohli also incorporated some drives and cuts to the off-side, showcasing shots not typically featured in his game. After switching to his regular bat with the MRF sticker, he faced fast bowlers such as Navdeep Saini, Money Grewal, Sidhant Sharma, and Rahul Gahlot in the nets. Here, Kohli played more front foot shots, particularly against fuller deliveries. Against Saini, he looked solid, flicking with his trademark style while leaving deliveries outside the off-stump. However, he was beaten by Grewal’s pace and a delivery from left-arm pacer Sidhant that struck his pads.
By 11:00 AM, Kohli shifted his focus to facing spin, working with left-arm spinners Harsh Tyagi and Sumit Mathur, as well as off-spinner Sumit Sharma and other net bowlers. He began by defending deliveries on the back foot before returning to his front foot technique.
The standout moments of Kohli’s session came when he demonstrated excellent footwork against the spinners, especially with lofted shots that found the middle of the bat. Despite a couple of challenges, including being beaten by Rajasthan’s tall left-arm spinner Prakhar, Kohli’s overall footwork stood out.
At 11:15 AM, Kohli concluded his practice for the day, with the emphasis placed on front foot play and using his feet against spinners, contrasting with his focus on back foot shots the previous day.
Later, Kohli posed for pictures, first with former cricketer Gursharan Singh, and then with DDCA officials, sharing some laughter over old anecdotes. He also signed a picture and a t-shirt for fans before departing with his kitbag.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s young women cricketers were buzzing with excitement over Kohli’s motivational words shared during his Tuesday session with eight-year-old Kabir Khan (son of Kohli’s former teammate Shawej Khan). Kohli encouraged the young talent to aim high and go beyond established benchmarks in their pursuit of representing India.
As the day turned from chilly to sunny, it was clear that Kohli’s return to the Ranji Trophy had created a palpable excitement, with fans eagerly awaiting the live broadcast of Delhi’s final league match against Railways. Regardless of the game’s outcome, Kohli’s presence ensured a vibrant atmosphere, reaffirming his immense star power.