A regular Ranji Trophy game between Delhi and Railways turned into a spectacle like no other, as 15,000 fans flocked to the Arun Jaitley Stadium to watch Virat Kohli’s first-class cricket return. The excitement surrounding Kohli’s rare appearance in the domestic competition brought an electric atmosphere to Kotla, with fans arriving early, chanting his name, and even storming the stadium gates.
FANS OVERFLOW AS DEMAND TO SEE KOHLI REACHES A FEVER PITCH
The frenzy began early on a Thursday morning, with fans lining up outside Gate Nos. 16 and 17 from as early as 7 am. The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), initially expecting a modest turnout, was forced to open additional gates and stands as the crowd swelled. What began as a typical domestic match quickly became a scene of chaos as barriers were broken, and security struggled to contain the growing crowd. By 9 am, Gate No. 18 had to be opened to accommodate the surge of fans.
Even the adjacent Bishan Singh Bedi stand, once opened, was filled within 10 minutes. By the time play started, the crowd had ballooned to an estimated 15,000, and more fans were still arriving.
VIRAT KOHLI: THE MAGNET OF THOUSANDS
The Kotla’s usual calm atmosphere was electrified by Kohli’s presence. As early as his warm-up session, the stadium was alive with chants of “Kohli, Kohli,” as fans showed their unbridled enthusiasm. One fan, Tejas, a law student sporting a Royal Challengers Bangalore jersey, summed up the sentiments of many: “We’re only here for one person. Kohli. Who cares about class attendance when you can watch him for free?”
Outside the stadium, groups of fans were seen buying Kohli’s jersey, ready to support their idol. “Ranji kaun dekhta hai? (Who watches Ranji?),” said Ganesh from Burari, calling himself the “captain” of his group. “We’re here for Kohli.”
Despite the overwhelming excitement, the crowd was not without its challenges. Outside Gate 16, the situation became tense as spectators clashed with security and police, and in the chaos, a couple with a child was injured while entering the stadium. At one point, a police bike was damaged, and a constable required medical attention.
THE PITCH INVADER AND A SURGING FRENZY
As the game progressed, the fervour only intensified. In the 11th over of the match, a fan invaded the pitch, rushing towards Kohli. While security was quick to act, Kohli himself requested that officials go easy on the overzealous fan. Following the incident, extra police commandos were deployed to secure the stands.
The entire scene was reminiscent of the hysteria that once followed legendary cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar. WV Raman, former India opener and current commentator for Jio Cinema, compared Kohli’s following to that of the cricketing icon. “It’s comparable, isn’t it? I don’t know when I last saw such a turnout for a Ranji Trophy match.”
As the day went on, Delhi’s choice to bowl first was met with mixed reactions, including a few boos from the crowd. However, once Delhi bowler Siddhant Sharma took the first wicket, the fans erupted once more, chanting Kohli’s name in a wave of support.
Kohli’s presence in this Ranji match has not only brought attention to his own career but has also brought the spotlight to the Ranji Trophy itself. If the intensity of the crowd is any indication, this may be one of the most memorable days in domestic cricket history.
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