Virat Kohli [Source: @Cricketracker/x.com]
Thousands of devotees were just one wicket away from watching batter Virat Kohli bat on the first day of the ongoing Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Returning to the prestigious competition after more than 12 years, Kohli was the only reason why fans literally thronged the venue during a domestic match.
While most of the fans cheered the former Indian captain from the stands, one of them ended up becoming a security threat by crossing all boundaries to meet his idol. In what resulted in DDCA (Delhi & Districts Cricket Association) beefing up the security arrangements, it was one of the many acts which gained attention today.
As far as Kohli’s 24-match Ranji Trophy career is concerned, below are three fascinating facts about the same:
1. First Ranji Trophy Match Against Railways
Kohli, 36, is playing a first-class match against Railways for the first time in his career. Speaking of other formats, Kohli neither faced Railways in his five-match Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy career.
Until today, the right-handed batter’s only innings against Railways had come during Vijay Hazare Trophy 2008/09 preliminary quarter-final in Agartala. Batting at No. 3 in a 306-run chase, Kohli had scored 114 (93) comprising 17 fours and a six in a match-winning effort. Having played five ODIs for India by then, Kohli had scored the last of his four centuries in the tournament to become the highest run-scorer.
Overall, Kohli has faced Saurashtra (4), Tamil Nadu (3), Uttar Pradesh (3), Karnataka (2), Rajasthan (2), Mumbai (2), Baroda (1), Andhra (1), Punjab (1), Odisha (1), Maharashtra (1), Bengal (1) and Gujarat (1) in the Ranji Trophy.
2. First-class Opening Batter
Yet to open the batting in Test cricket, Kohli’s solitary innings as a first-class opener had come in the Ranji Trophy 15 years ago. Interestingly, it was also the last of his two appearances as Delhi captain.
Arguably the greatest chaser in white-ball cricket, Kohli had promoted himself successfully to seal a 109-run target in the 18th over against Maharashtra at the Roshnara Club Ground. Playing the lead role on the back of his 67* (58) consisting of 11 fours, Kohli neither captained nor opened in the Ranji Trophy ever again.
Kohli, however, started his international career as an opening batter. Post his debut series where he opened five times in a row, Kohli opened the batting just two more times in ODIs. In T20Is, however, he opened 17 times including a Player of the Match effort in ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final.
3. Bowling Contribution
Kohli, who doesn’t have a single Test wicket to his name in spite of bowling 11 times in the format, dismissed two batters across nine innings in the Ranji Trophy.
Having not bowled more than eight overs in an innings at the highest level, Kohli’s career-best first-class bowling figures of 12-1-19-1 had come against Bengal at the Feroz Shah Kotla.
As far as his most economical spell is concerned, Kohli has registered figures of 6-5-5-0 against Gujarat at the same venue. Interestingly, his top two economical performances for India have also come in Delhi.