After twelve years, Virat Kohli has confirmed he will be playing a Ranji Trophy match; Delhi won the toss and decided to bowl first against Railways.
After 12 years, Virat Kohli's Ranji Trophy return
After 12 years, Virat Kohli’s Ranji Trophy return has captured the attention of cricket fans across the country. The Delhi team won the toss and chose to bowl first against Railways in an Elite Group D match of the ongoing season at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday. Kohli’s last appearance in the Ranji Trophy for Delhi was in November 2012, when he played against Uttar Pradesh in Ghaziabad. This long-awaited return has added a sense of excitement to the current season of domestic cricket.
Kohli participated for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy, yet per BCCI policy, Indian players should play domestic cricket wherever feasible. Delhi, ranked sixth with 14 points, has little mathematical possibility of making it into the Ranji Trophy knockouts, so his comeback coincides with this period. They require a total victory over fourth-placed Railways, but that might not be sufficient to qualify for the knockdowns.
Security authorities at the Ranji Trophy informed IANS that supporters had been lined up outside starting at 3 a.m. to enter the stadium, creating a frenzy about witnessing Kohli in action. After Gates 16 and 17 were opened, DDCA sources told IANS that Gate Number 18 has been opened with an enormous throng outside the venue screaming constantly for Kohli and RCB.
On the other hand, Suraj Ahuja will lead Railways following regular skipper Pratham Singh’s absence due to injury.
Kohli comes in for Jonty Sidhu for Delhi; Pranav Rajvanshi substitutes Rishabh Pant; pacer Money Grewal steps in for left-arm spinner Harsh Tyagi.
Operating XI
Delhi: Sanat Sangwan, Arpit Rana, Yash Dhull, Virat Kohli, Ayush Badoni (captain), Pranav Rajvanshi (wicketkeeper), Sumit Mathur, Shivam Sharma, Navdeep Saini, Money Grewal, and Siddhant Sharma.
Railways: Anchit Yadav, Vivek Singh, Mohammad Saif, Suraj Ahuja (c), Upendra Yadav (wk), Bhargav Merai, Karn Sharma, Ayan Chaudhary, Himanshu Sangwan, Kunal Yadav, Rahul Sharma