Ranji Trophy: Packed Crowd at Arun Jaitley Stadium Leave Early After Virat Kohli is Clean Bowled For 6

Add as a preferred source on Google

A packed crowd at the Arun Jaitely Stadium started to leave early after star Indian batter Virat Kohli departed cheaply during the Ranji Trophy 2024/25 Elite Group D match between Delhi and Railways on Friday (January 31).

With much anticipation around his first Ranji appearance since 2012, thousands of cricket fanatics and Kohli's fans have packed the Feroz Shah Kotla since day 1 of Delhi's final group stage match against the Railways.

While Kohli kept the fans entertained on day 1 when fielding, the Arun Jaitely Stadium crowd were left disappointed early on day 2 after the star batter, who hit one straight drive for four, departed the very next ball.

The fans at the venue were excited when the King arrived in the 24th over, but were silenced soon when Railways pacer Himanshu Sangwa cleaned up Kohli, who missed a straight delivery after walking down the track.

Kohli was clean bowled in the 28th over for just 6 runs, leaving Delhi at 86/3 in response to Railways' first innings total of 241. Himanshu Sangwan soon claimed his second wicket as Delhi reached 116/4 in 33 overs.

The opening day of the match between Delhi and Railways saw more than 15,000 fans turn up at the venue to witness the local boy in action, while the second day also garnered interest with Kohli expected to bat. However, some sections of the stands vacated quickly after Kohli's dismissal.

Following BCCI's mandate for Indian players to participate in domestic matches, Kohli followed skipper Rohit Sharma by taking part in the Ranji Trophy. The 36-year-old returned to the Ranji Trophy after almost 13 years, having last featured in the tournament in November 2012 against Uttar Pradesh.

The star Indian batter has struggled for form lately. Despite scoring a century Down Under last month, Kohli has often perished poking at deliveries outside the off stump. This time he was beaten all ends up by a delivery directed at the stumps.

On the first day's play, a fan breached security as he rushed onto the field to meet Kohli. The fan touched his feet, but security personnel quickly intervened and escorted the intruder off the field. Kohli requested them to go easy on the fan and avoid any harsh treatment.