Virat Kohli's return to domestic cricket after a 12-year hiatus generated an exhilarating atmosphere at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, attracting thousands of fans eager to see the cricketing legend in action. As Delhi faced Railways in their Ranji Trophy match, Kohli's presence transformed what would have been a routine fixture into a remarkable event seldom witnessed in domestic cricket. Fans began gathering outside the stadium the night prior, and every sighting of Kohli was met with thunderous applause.

During the match, journalist Rohit Juglan shared an intriguing detail regarding Kohli's lunch, noting that the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) had arranged for chilli paneer from the local canteen. "At lunchtime, Virat Kohli will have chilli paneer ordered from the local DDCA canteen," Juglan posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Although this choice was not particularly lavish, it quickly became a topic of conversation among fans eager for any insight into their beloved cricketer.

In an interview with Revsportz, Sanjay Jha, who prepared meals for Kohli and is a frequent presence at the DDCA canteen, disclosed that the Indian batting stalwart opted not to have lunch from outside sources.

“Bahar se nahi, yahi canteen se hi khaaunga (No, not from outside. I'll have lunch from the canteen),” Jha stated.

In another interview with the, Jha praised Kohli for remembering him and treating him with kindness despite his rise to international fame.

“He personally approached me yesterday after the training session and asked for chilli paneer. He addressed me by name, ‘Sanjay ji.’ He has achieved so much, yet he still remembers my name,” Jha remarked.

The DDCA had initially projected an attendance of around 10,000 for the match—a remarkable figure for a Ranji Trophy event. However, Kohli's undeniable allure exceeded those expectations, as thousands lined up outside the stadium, with some fans reportedly arriving the previous night to catch a glimpse of their idol.

“I have never seen something like this in Ranji Trophy ever. Even in my playing days, there was hardly anyone who made the effort to watch domestic cricket. It is just because of one man,” a former India cricketer present at the venue told PTI.

The fan turnout

The overwhelming turnout compelled officials to expand seating arrangements to manage the crowd effectively. Initially, only the ‘Gautam Gambhir Stand,’ which has a capacity of 6,000, was accessible to attendees. However, as the gates opened and the influx of fans became increasingly difficult to control, authorities opted to also open the ‘Bishan Singh Bedi Stand,’ which accommodates 11,000 individuals.

“I have been associated with Delhi cricket for over 30 years, yet I have never seen such scenes during a Ranji Trophy match. This clearly demonstrates that Kohli’s popularity is unparalleled,” remarked DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma.

Compounding the situation, the passage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s convoy near the stadium coincided with the arrival of fans, leading to additional logistical complications. “The challenge was heightened as the entry of fans into the stadium coincided with the VIP movement of PM Modi on the adjacent roads. Following his stringent security protocols and to ensure order, we were directed by the police to open another stand for the public,” Sharma further explained.

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