Virat Kohli's childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, expressed his admiration for the enthusiastic support shown for the Indian cricket icon during the first day of the Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Railways. Kohli returned to domestic red-ball cricket after a hiatus of over 12 years, and the excitement was palpable, with fans beginning to line up outside the Arun Jaitley Stadium as early as 3 AM.

Kohli took to the field under the leadership of young captain Ayush Badoni, who chose to bowl first on the venue's green pitch. Although Kohli did not have the opportunity to bat during the day, he was met with a resounding ovation from the crowd, as approximately 15,000 fans filled the stadium.

In response to the impressive turnout, Rajkumar shared a post on his official Instagram account, expressing that he felt "proud" of his former pupil.

“This is your contribution to Indian cricket. Proud of you,” wrote the coach.

Instagram story of Virat Kohli's Childhood Coach

- This is Virat Kohli Era...!!!! pic.twitter.com/MrLMds0TSi

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 30, 2025

The unprecedented turnout forced administrators into last-minute adjustments to accommodate the overwhelming crowd. The DDCA (Delhi and Districts Cricket Association) had initially anticipated around 10,000 spectators for Kohli’s homecoming – an unheard-of number for a Ranji Trophy game – but even that estimate proved inadequate against the sheer magnetism of the former India captain.

The Kohli frenzy

Prior to the commencement of play at 9:30 am local time, a significant number of fans gathered, eager to enter the stadium, where admission is complimentary for domestic matches. Initially, the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) had opened the 6,000-seat ‘Gautam Gambhir Stand.’ However, as the crowd grew beyond expectations, officials were forced to open the 11,000-seat ‘Bishan Singh Bedi Stand’ to manage the overwhelming turnout.

“I have never witnessed anything like this in the Ranji Trophy. Even during my playing days, there were rarely any spectators willing to attend domestic cricket matches. This is all due to one individual,” remarked a former Indian player present at the venue, speaking to PTI.

The excitement within the stadium coincided with another surge of activity outside, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s motorcade passed by, contributing to the vibrant yet chaotic atmosphere.

The extent of Kohli’s impact astonished even seasoned administrators. “Having been involved in Delhi cricket for over 30 years, I have never seen such scenes at a Ranji Trophy match. This clearly demonstrates that Kohli’s popularity is unparalleled,” stated an astounded DDCA secretary, Ashok Sharma, in conversation with PTI.

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