Ranji Trophy: Virat Kohli, 36, Outshines Delhi Teammates In Fitness, Sources Claim

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Virat Kohli's long-awaited return to the Ranji Trophy after 12 years has already made headlines, but not just for his batting. Reports from Delhi's training camp reveal that the 36-year-old Indian cricket star is currently in better shape than the entire Delhi Ranji team.

His exceptional fitness levels left even the younger players struggling to keep up. Kohli, who will play for Delhi in their match against Railways on January 30, joined the squad for a rigorous training session. Most of the Delhi players were exhausted.

However, Kohli remained unfazed, even taking a lap of the ground after practice. A DDCA insider, as quoted by The Indian Express, said, "The highlight of the two-and-a-half-hour training session was that it was the longest these boys have trained before a Ranji game."

They added, "After an exhausting session, most of the Delhi squad looked jarred but not Kohli, who signed off with a lap." The session, which lasted over two hours, was reportedly one of Delhi's most intense pre-match training drills in recent times.

The players started with football, followed by running and fielding exercises, before moving to nets. While the Delhi squad struggled with fatigue, Kohli showed no signs of slowing down. According to reports, Kohli spent nearly an hour in the nets, first facing throwdowns, where he repeatedly played pull shots.

He then moved on to the spinners' nets, facing Harsh Tyagi and Sumit Mathur. Despite some deliveries gripping and stopping, Kohli remained untroubled. He also faced pacers Navdeep Saini, Mani Grewal, Rahul Gahlot, and Siddhant Sharma, maintaining his composure throughout.

Kohli's return to domestic cricket comes at a crucial time, with the Champions Trophy approaching. His presence in the Ranji Trophy is not just about playing a match-it's a statement. While 2024 has been a challenging year for him, his fitness levels suggest he's determined to prove himself once again.