At the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, a regular Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Railways became something special when 15,000 fans showed up to see Virat Kohli play. This was his first match in first-class cricket since 2012, and the fans were extremely excited. The atmosphere was full of energy, and there was a lot of excitement and even some chaos because of how many people had come to watch.
Fans flood to see Kohli after years
It was a typical Thursday morning when Virat Kohli took the field for the Ranji Trophy match. But for fans, it felt anything but ordinary. The excitement began as early as the Violet Line of the Delhi Metro. The coaches were vibrating with chants of "RCB, RCB," as people packed themselves into the metro heading to the Kotla. Fans of all ages and from all walks of life were eager to catch a glimpse of the cricket superstar in his first-class return.
Tejas, a third-year law student, couldn’t contain his excitement. “We are here to watch the Indian Railways play,” he joked while wearing a Royal Challengers Bangalore jersey. His friend Nirvan, from Sonepat, quickly corrected him, “We are only here for one guy. Virat Kohli. We can take care of our class attendance later, but watching Kohli for free, you can’t skip it.”
The love for Kohli was evident, even in the smallest details. Outside the stadium, vendors were selling Kohli’s jersey, and boys from Burari proudly wore the star’s name. “Ranji kaun dekhta hai? (Who watches Ranji?)? We are here for Kohli,” said Ganesh, the leader of a group of fans calling themselves the “Northern Boys.”
A packed stadium and wild fans
By the time the gates opened, the stadium was already full of excitement. Fans started waiting outside Gates 16 and 17 as early as 7 a.m. to get a good spot. The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) made the game free for the public by allowing entry through two gates. But the crowd grew so large that they had to open more gates, including Gate No. 18 and the Bishan Singh Bedi area, which filled up very quickly.
By 9 a.m., around 15,000 fans had arrived. When Delhi won the toss and chose to bowl, the fans cheered loudly. Some people didn’t agree with Delhi captain Ayush Badoni’s decision to field and booed a little, but the mood changed quickly when the first wicket fell. The crowd went wild with joy when Railways opener Anchit Yadav was out.
As Virat Kohli began his warm-up routine, chants of "Kohli, Kohli" filled the stadium. The scene was chaotic and thrilling, with the crowd so pumped up that a fan even ran onto the pitch in the eleventh over. Kohli, who appeared calm, instructed security not to be too harsh with the fan. But soon after, a group of police commandos were seen guarding the stands, adding to the heavy security presence in the stadium.
The crowd's enthusiasm was overwhelming. Some fans even pushed and heckled the security and police at Gate 16, causing a few injuries. A couple with a young child fell and got hurt in the commotion, and one police constable needed medical attention after his leg was injured. Despite the chaos, the excitement continued to grow as more fans rushed in, all eager to witness their idol in action.
Virat's popularity compared to Sachin Tendulkar's
The fan following of Virat Kohli was compared to none other than the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Former India opener WV Raman, who was providing commentary for the match, said, “It is at par, isn’t it? I don’t know when I last saw so many people watching a Ranji Trophy match.”
With Virat Kohli's first-class comeback, it was clear that the star power he brings can make even a regular match feel like an event to remember. As the day went on, it was evident that Kohli's presence could elevate the popularity of domestic cricket, making it more exciting for fans who don't usually follow the format. The Ranji Trophy had found its superstar in Virat Kohli, and the stadium’s energy reflected the love and excitement fans had for him.