On Wednesday morning, when this reporter reached the Delhi Gate metro station, the closest one to the stadium, the scene was completely different from other Ranji matches. There was a huge crowd both inside and outside the metro station, just like during an IPL match, and was shouting “Kohli, Kohli… RCB, RCB”.
Two law students, Tejas and Nirvan, had come from Sonipat, Haryana. When asked if they had come for Kohli, Tejas jokingly said, “No brother, we have come to support the Railways team.” And both burst out laughing. “We have come here just to see Virat Kohli, else who bunks classes to watch a Ranji match,” Nirvan said.
On the way to the stadium, the crowd had increased manifold. Thousands of spectators were in front of Gate 15 and 16, waiting for the gates to be opened. There was even a stampede briefly but the police controlled it immediately and no one was hurt.
There crowd had people of all ages and backgrounds. Vijay Sharma, a Noida resident, had taken leave from his office so that he could bring his wife and two daughters to the match and they could watch their favourite cricketer playing.
When the gates finally opened at 9am, the Gautam Gambhir stand, with a capacity of about 6500, was filled in a jiffy. And there were people still outside the gate. Seeing that, the DDCA officials decided to open the Bishan Singh Bedi stand as well. Only after that, everyone was able to enter the stadium.
However, they must have been a bit disappointed when Delhi captain Ayush Badoni opted to field after winning the toss. But as soon as Kohli walked onto the field, they filled the entire stadium with the chants of “Kohli, Kohli” and “RCB, RCB”. When Kohli acknowledged them by waving his hand, the chants grew louder.
During the 11th over of the day, a spectator broke the barricading, reached Kohli who was standing in slips, and touched his feet. The security personnel ran after him and escorted him back. After this, Special Task Force personnel were deployed along the boundary line. Perhaps because they were not aware, they ended up roaming in front of the sightscreen, which caused a couple of short stoppages.
With the chances of Kohli batting fading, the spectators started leaving. By the end of the day, half of them had left. But with Delhi 41 for 1 at stumps, and Kohli one wicket away from walking in, expect them to be lined up outside the stadium at 5am once again.
दया सागर ESPNcricinfo हिंदी में सब एडिटर हैं।dayasagar95
The Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season has been nothing short of spectacular, with fans across the country flocking to stadiums to witness their favorite players in action. However, the scenes in Delhi have been particularly electrifying, as fans have been turning up in droves to watch none other than Virat Kohli take the field.
The Delhi team, led by the former Indian captain himself, has been putting up a stellar performance in this year’s tournament, and fans have been treated to some truly memorable moments on the field. Kohli’s presence has undoubtedly added to the excitement, with spectators eager to catch a glimpse of the cricketing legend in action.
The atmosphere at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium has been nothing short of electric, with fans cheering on their team with unmatched enthusiasm. The stadium has been packed to capacity for every match, with tickets selling out well in advance as fans clamor for a chance to watch Kohli and his team in action.
The scenes in Delhi have been reminiscent of IPL matches, with fans bringing banners, flags, and jerseys to show their support for their favorite players. The energy in the stadium is palpable, with chants of “Kohli, Kohli” echoing throughout the stands.
As the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season continues to unfold, it is clear that the passion and love for cricket in Delhi are as strong as ever. With Virat Kohli leading the charge, fans can expect more thrilling moments and unforgettable matches in the days to come.
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