By The Sampadak Express
Virat Kohli’s much-anticipated return to Delhi’s Ranji Trophy campaign was met with disappointment, as the star batter failed to make a significant impact in the first innings. Kohli, playing for Delhi, was dismissed for just 6 runs off 15 balls, as Railways pacer Himanshu Sangwan sent his stumps flying early in the innings.
Kohli had earlier struck a stunning straight drive for a boundary, but attempted a similar shot shortly after. Sangwan, however, adjusted his length and deceived the Indian legend, who was clean bowled, shattering the hopes of the fans who had gathered in large numbers to witness his return.
The 36-year-old’s early exit led to an immediate exodus of fans from the Arun Jaitley Stadium, visibly disappointed by the outcome. The crowd had been in a frenzy since the early hours of the day, with supporters queuing up outside the stadium from as early as 3 AM, eager to catch a glimpse of their cricketing idol.
Despite the setback, Kohli kept the crowd engaged with his usual charisma throughout the day, but his dismissal put a damper on the atmosphere. Fans now look ahead to his next innings, hoping that the Indian batting great will bounce back and deliver a performance that will make up for the early disappointment.
A Challenging Run for KohliKohli’s appearance in the Ranji Trophy comes after a challenging period with the bat. The 36-year-old struggled in the recent Test series, scoring only one century, with no half-centuries across 10 Tests. His sole century came in the opening match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth, but he failed to carry that momentum, managing less than 100 runs in total over the next four matches.
Kohli’s lack of form, along with the collective struggle of the Indian batting lineup, led the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to make it mandatory for international players to participate in the Ranji Trophy. This decision was made in an effort to help them regain their rhythm ahead of upcoming international assignments.
Earlier this week, Kohli had trained with Delhi’s Ranji squad, preparing for the match under the captaincy of Ayush Badoni. With the first innings behind him, the focus now shifts to Kohli’s next opportunity at the crease, as his supporters remain hopeful for a strong comeback in the second innings.
With fans still reeling from the early dismissal, all eyes are now on Kohli’s second innings, with hopes high that the Delhi batter will return to form and give the crowd something to cheer about. For now, the disappointment of the first innings lingers, but the belief in Kohli’s ability to bounce back remains unwavering among his passionate supporters.
