India’s star batter Virat Kohli’s much-anticipated return to the Ranji Trophy was short-lived, as he was dismissed for just 6 runs on Day 2 of Delhi’s clash against Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. What began as a roaring reception from the home crowd quickly turned into disappointment as Kohli’s struggles with the bat continued. The stadium, which was packed with fans eager to watch their hero in action, witnessed a mass exit as soon as Kohli was bowled by Railways pacer Himanshu Sangwan.
Returning to domestic cricket after 12 years, Kohli was expected to anchor Delhi’s innings after they lost Yash Dhull early in the morning session. The packed stands erupted with chants of "Kohli, Kohli" as the 36-year-old took his position at number four. However, his stay at the crease was brief, lasting only 15 balls. After striking a glorious boundary down the ground off Sangwan, Kohli was undone by an in-swinging delivery on the very next ball, which crashed into his stumps.
The hype surrounding Kohli’s Ranji return had reached fever pitch in the days leading up to the match. Fans gathered outside the Arun Jaitley Stadium for practice sessions, eager to catch a glimpse of the Indian great. Matchday saw thousands fill the stands, with many holding banners and posters celebrating Kohli’s homecoming. However, the dream scenario turned into disappointment as the star batter failed to make an impact.
Kohli last played a Ranji Trophy match in 2012 against Uttar Pradesh. His return aligns with the BCCI’s push for Indian stars to feature in domestic cricket, a move aimed at reinforcing the importance of first-class cricket in national team selection. Players like Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Yashasvi Jaiswal have all participated in the tournament as part of this initiative.
Despite the early setback, Kohli will have a chance to redeem himself in Delhi’s second innings. However, the pressure will be immense, with fans and selectors hoping for a much-improved performance from the Indian batting stalwart.
