A palpable wave of enthusiasm enveloped Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Thursday morning as fans began arriving at the venue as early as 5 AM, eager to witness the much-anticipated return of Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli to the Ranji Trophy. Kohli, who had announced his availability for Delhi’s final league match against Railways earlier this month, joined the team on Tuesday, heightening expectations for his return after an absence of over 12 years from domestic cricket.

In celebration of this eagerly awaited event, the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) offered free entry to the stadium for fans, who were required only to present their Aadhar Cards. The atmosphere was electric, with the crowd steadily increasing as the match time drew near.

Chants of ‘RCB, RCB’ echoed throughout the venue, as Kohli represented the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League.

Watch as fans stood in queue for hours ahead of the match:

Kohli aims to restore his form in red-ball cricket after a series of disappointing performances in Tests over recent months. His choice to return to domestic cricket is a response to a significant decline in his Test performance, which has been evident since 2020. Over the course of 39 Tests during this timeframe, he has accumulated 2,028 runs at an average of merely 30.72, a stark deviation from his previous dominance.

His record includes just three centuries, with a top score of 186. Furthermore, in the current World Test Championship cycle, Kohli's statistics have been lacklustre, totalling 751 runs in 14 matches at an average of 32.65, which includes two centuries and three half-centuries.

Under the leadership of Ayush Badoni, Kohli engaged in rigorous two-day training sessions with his Delhi teammates, many of whom have long regarded him as a role model. The former captain of India thrived in this environment, relishing the camaraderie with the team while diligently refining the intricacies of his Test batting.

With head coach Sarandeep Singh providing close supervision, Kohli focused on enhancing his footwork against spin, addressing his weaknesses outside off-stump, and broadening his repertoire of backfoot shots, demonstrating a systematic approach to reviving his red-ball skills.

Read Also: Kohli Set to Shine in Ranji Trophy Match After 12-Year Absence

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