The Indian batter known for his magical touch, Virat Kohli, is all set to return for his first Ranji Trophy match in over 12 years this Thursday. Last played for Delhi in a white- ball domestic event in 2012, Kohli will play for the Delhi team against Railways in their Ranji Trophy match. Just a couple of days before heading to the fixture, he was seen training with the Delhi teammates at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Kohli landed at Kotla on Tuesday morning, as colorful vids and pictures surfaced on social media. He had, in fact, advised the Delhi and District State Cricket Association that he asked to practice with the boys on Tuesday.
“ Kohli informed head coach Sarandeep Singh about his amenability to exercise with the squad. It’ll be a great experience for the rest of the Delhi players if they get one day with Kohli, ” a DDCA officeholder told the Times of India on Monday.
also, it has been reported that Kohli was to offer captaining the Delhi squad against Railways, but he declined. With Rishabh Pant not in the frame, Ayush Badoni is set to captain the side again.
” Pant did not play any match in September since the Duleep Trophy. The last three and a half months have had Pant sharing in 12 first- class matches. Given that the Champions Trophy is around the corner, it was allowed
he should rest and prepare for the white- ball season”, the officeholder said.
Kohli was last seen in action in a domestic red- ball competition for Delhi against Uttar Pradesh in Mohan Nagar, Ghaziabad, in 2012.
” Of course, our youngish players would gain a considerable quantum of experience by putting on the same colors as Virat.However, only Navdeep Saini has played alongside him in the IPL and for India, If you look at our side. In fact, not a single bone
of the players in the side has played against him in the Ranji Trophy. They can learn a lot simply by watching him.” DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma spoke to PTI.
On being asked about the arrangements for the match, Sharma agreed” We know Virat raises the elevation of any match. typically, we’ve 10 to 12 private security force for a normal Ranji match, and we will surely increase security so that Virat can train without interruption.”
Indeed though Kohli was back in the team, the match between Delhi and Railways would be free for bystanders; reportedly, the DDCA would also open three daises at the Ambedkar Stadium End. Kohli did n’t play the last match because of the neck sprain.
