Virat Kohli's fame is something else. It's as genuine as it gets. It's so huge that you can't really tell the difference between a Ranji Trophy match and an ICC knockout game. Kids skip school, adults call in sick, and fans line up before dawn, all just to catch a glimpse of him. Even if they miss seeing him bat, they still cheer and celebrate like they're part of a grand performance.

In Delhi, Kohli doesn’t play in whites very often. Over his 14-year Test career, he’s only appeared at the Arun Jaitley Stadium four times. This year, there are no Tests scheduled there, making the chances of seeing their beloved 'cheeku' in a red-ball match feel as uncertain as a foggy January morning.

So when the BCCI announced that Indian cricket stars would be available for domestic games, it was like a dream come true for the fans in Delhi. They grabbed this chance with everything they had.

When Kohli’s name was mentioned during the Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Railways on Thursday, the crowd went wild. His presence created an electric atmosphere, leading to a rush for seats that was unlike anything seen before. The organizers had to scramble to make last-minute arrangements to handle the huge influx of fans.

The Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) had expected around 10,000 fans for Kohli’s much-anticipated return, which is already a big deal for a domestic game. But the actual number of fans far surpassed that, with people arriving at the stadium long before the 9:30 AM start time.

‘Who's keeping an eye on Ranji?’

A group of about six boys from Burari, who call themselves the “Northern Boys,” were spotted outside the stadium buying Virat’s jersey, according to The Indian Express. Ganesh, who claims to be the leader of the group, remarked, “Who even watches Ranji? We’re here for Kohli.”

In the early morning, Kohli’s passionate fans were seen pushing to get into the stadium, where entry is free for Ranji Trophy matches. To handle the crowd, the DDCA initially opened the 'Gautam Gambhir Stand,' which seats around 6,000. But with so many fans showing up, officials quickly decided to also open the 'Bishan Singh Bedi Stand,' which can accommodate up to 11,000 people, to fit everyone in.

"I’ve never witnessed anything like this at a Ranji Trophy match. Even during my playing days, hardly anyone bothered to come watch domestic cricket. It’s all because of one person," a former Indian player at the venue told PTI.

"I’ve been part of Delhi cricket for over 30 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this for a Ranji Trophy game. It just proves that Kohli’s popularity is off the charts," said an amazed DDCA secretary, Ashok Sharma, to PTI.

With Kohli set to bat on Day 2, even more fans are expected to show up.

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!