

PTI, Jan 30, 2025, 11:29 AM IST
The unmatched aura of Virat Kohli was on full display in and around the Arjun Jaitley Stadium even before the Ranji Trophy fixture between Delhi and Railways could start here as thousands of fans queued up to watch the superstar in his first domestic red-ball appearance in 13 years. The DDCA (Delhi and Districts Cricket Association) had projected a crowd of around 10,000 for Kohli’s homecoming, which is unheard for a Ranji Trophy game. But such was his magnetic pull that even those lofty calculations went for a toss.
Long before the start of play at 9.30am local time, Kohli’s loyal band of supporters were jostling to enter the stadium.
At first, the DDCA opened the roughly 6,000-capacity ‘Gautam Gambhir Stand’ for spectators but sensing the crowd situation could go out of hand, the officials were forced to open the ‘Bishan Bedi Stand’ which can accommodate around 14,000 people.
What added to the commotion was the movement of PM Narendra Modi’s cavalcade past the ground at the same time.
“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 the Kohli’s popularity is unmatched,” an overwhelmed DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma told PTI.
“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,” he revealed.
The ‘Gautam Gambhir Stand’ was already packed to the rafters and it hardly took time to fill the lower tier of the ‘Bishan Bedi Stand’, taking the crowd count well past 12,000 at toss.
The deafening roars of “Kohli, Kohli” could be heard from a distance as the former India captain took the field with the rest of the Delhi teammates who too were experiencing something special.
With Kohli manning the second slip, his every move attracted a cheer from the crowd and in the 12th over, an overzealous fan breached the security to run towards the ‘King’.
He just about managed to touch Kohli’s feet before being whisked away by the security.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
WPL 2025: Mumbai Indians thrash Gujarat Giants by five wickets
Zelezny’s tweaks will take me to 90m mark soon: Neeraj Chopra
Champions Trophy 2025: India will feel Bumrah’s absence very strongly: Dhawan
Champions Trophy 2025: India’s bowling coach Morkel returns home due to family emergency
Wave from ‘King’ Kohli, Shreyas’ sign on T-shirt: Awed fans connect with Indian cricketers in Dubai
Geethartha Chinthane-191: Shri Krishna says, ‘You are not the decision-maker’
‘Udupi Samskruti’ handloom and handicraft fair from Feb 19 at Hotel Mathura Gokul
Football match organisers booked after 50 injured in firecracker accident in Kerala
Bengaluru: Six, including woman, arrested for honey trapping Chennai youth
Wait for new Delhi CM to end today; PM, ministers, celebrities to attend February 20 oath
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.