Virat Kohli mania to grip Delhi, DDCA takes big step ahead of Ranji Trophy match

Virat Kohli, India’s batting legend, is set to make a highly anticipated return to domestic cricket by featuring in Delhi’s upcoming Ranji Trophy clash against Railways on January 30. This will mark Kohli’s first appearance in a first-class game in 12 years, adding to the excitement around the match. With Kohli’s massive fan following, the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) is taking extra measures to accommodate the surge in spectators.

The DDCA plans to set up seating for 10,000 fans, with free entry to ensure the event runs smoothly. Although the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi has a seating capacity of 55,000, domestic games typically have restricted access, limiting the number of spectators. To address this, the association is opening additional stands to accommodate the high demand.

In a similar move, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) added extra seating for a Ranji Trophy match featuring Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy in Mumbai, further emphasizing the growing interest in domestic matches.

Kohli’s decision to play in the Ranji Trophy follows concerns about his recent dip in Test form, especially in the red-ball format. His participation aligns with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s new policy, which encourages centrally contracted players to play in domestic tournaments. This initiative was introduced after India’s recent Test series losses to New Zealand and Australia, sparking a debate about the relevance of domestic cricket for senior players.

Kohli’s last Ranji Trophy appearance was during the 2012/13 season against Uttar Pradesh, where he scored 14 and 43. Since then, international commitments kept him away from domestic cricket. His inclusion in the upcoming match is expected to provide a much-needed boost to Delhi’s squad, which is fighting for a spot in the knockout stages of the tournament.

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