A total of 34 teams kicked off the final round of the group stage for the 2024/25 Ranji Trophy season across India on Thursday. However, all eyes were on the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, where over 15,000 fans packed the iconic venue to see Virat Kohli in action for the first time in the domestic tournament since 2012. The excitement was so intense that it overshadowed the other matches happening around the country, both on social media and on TV.

The Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) had anticipated around 10,000 fans for the match between Delhi and Railways, thanks to Kohli's return. But the buzz surrounding the former Indian captain was so massive that those estimates were blown out of the water, with fans lining up outside the stadium as early as 5 AM. Initially, they planned to open the 6,000-seat 'Gautam Gambhir Stand,' but the overwhelming demand led them to also open the 'Bishan Singh Bedi Stand,' which holds about 11,000 people.

Looking ahead to Friday, the DDCA is expecting an even larger crowd, especially since Kohli is set to bat after Delhi ended the first innings at 41 for 1, chasing Railways' total of 241.

What slipped under the radar during the Kohli craze in Delhi?

Among the standout performances from Indian players, Shardul Thakur delivered an impressive hat-trick. Just days after his batting feats in Mumbai's unusual loss to Jammu and Kashmir, where he scored a fifty and a century, Thakur wowed everyone against Meghalaya with his bowling skills, taking a hat-trick in his second over and leaving the hosts at 2 for 6 in just four overs. He wrapped up the innings with figures of 4 for 43, helping to dismiss Meghalaya for a mere 86 runs.

At Stumps, Mumbai had a solid 127-run lead with eight wickets still in hand, thanks to an unbeaten 83 from former Indian vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, marking his first fifty of the season.

Another seasoned Indian batsman, Cheteshwar Pujara, was close to reaching a first-class century, remaining not out on 95 in Saurashtra's game against Assam, despite struggling recently.

On the flip side, two other Indian players from Karnataka had a tough day. KL Rahul made his return to the Ranji Trophy after five years but managed only 26 runs batting at No. 3 against Haryana. Devdutt Padikkal also fell short, scoring 43 runs as Karnataka ended Day 1 at 267 for five.

Read Also: Virat Kohli's Return to Ranji Trophy Sparks Excitement: 'We're Here for Him!'

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!