Senior Indian cricketer Virat Kohli grabbed the spotlight ahead of Delhi’s Ranji Trophy clash against Railways in the 2024-25 season. Kohli, renowned for his disciplined approach, was spotted going through fielding drills and batting practice at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old kicked off the session with fielding drills alongside his Delhi Ranji teammates. In a video, Kohli was seen chatting with Delhi team’s head coach, Sarandeep Singh, discussing some recent challenges in his batting.
According to a Times of India report, Kohli was spotted pulling his kit bag down to the nets before he began training. Delhi team manager Mahesh Bhati, who has known Kohli since his U-17 and U-19 days, noticed this and motioned to some younger players to assist him. However, Kohli firmly declined the offer.
Bhati, who had coached Kohli in his early days, reportedly said, “Virat, let them help you,” to which Kohli replied, “Bhaiya, kya baat kar rahe ho? Mere khelne ka samaan hai, mai khud leke jaunga (what are you saying? This is my gear, I’ll carry it myself).”
Kohli’s comeback match will be against Railways starting January 30, under the leadership of young Ayush Badoni. Delhi currently sits sixth in Group D, with one win, two losses, and three draws. Their last game ended in a heavy defeat to Saurashtra by 10 wickets, where all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja excelled with a 12-wicket haul, including seven in the second innings.
Kohli last played in the Ranji Trophy in November 2012, against Uttar Pradesh, where he was dismissed for 14 and 42 in both innings by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Kohli made his Ranji debut in the 2006/07 season, scoring 257 runs in six matches at an average of 36.71, with two half-centuries.
In the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle, Kohli accumulated 751 runs in 14 matches at an average of 32.65, including two centuries and three fifties. His highest score was 121. However, last year, in 10 Tests, he struggled with form, managing only 417 runs at an average of 24.52, with just one century and one fifty.