![Virat Kohli returns to Ranji [Source: OneCricket/X.Com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1738342484948_Viratkohliranjireturn.jpg?type=tq)
Virat Kohli returns to Ranji [Source: OneCricket/X.Com]
The Delhi Vs Railways Ranji Trophy game was to start at 9:30 AM, but fans reached the Arun Jaitley Stadium at 5 AM, waiting to get a glimpse of India's poster boy and Delhi's own, Virat Kohli. The first two days of the Ranji game was no less than a Coldplay concert which took place recently as the fans flocked to watch West Delhi boy Kohli walk out to bat after 12 years in a Delhi T shirt.
The return of the hometown hero was celebrated like a festival as there was a queue stretching more than 2.5 kilometre and the fans waited patiently to enter the stadium and catch their idol bat. The popularity of Virat Kohli could be seen from the fact that not only from Delhi NCR, but fans had come from far away places like Gwalior and Meerut to witness "Cheeku" Kohli bat and perhaps score a ton at his home-ground.
After witnessing the fans go crazy, one thing was for sure, the people had no idea who Virat's opponent was, they had no idea about who the captain of the Delhi side is, they only had one picture in their mind and that was to watch perhaps the greatest-ever Indian cricketer play in front of them. These were real fans who sacrificed their sleep and in the cold winter morning of Delhi came from different states and stood up in huge lines to enter the stadium and see Kohli at his finest.
There were die-hard Virat fans who took leaves from their offices to watch their favourite cricketer play, but they were all left disappointed when Delhi skipper, Ayush Badoni won the toss and elected to bowl first. However, the enthusiasm was still their and when Kohli waved back at the crowd, acknowledging their support, the fans went crazy.
What makes Kohli special?
Unlike a Sachin Tendulkar or a Rohit Sharma, Kohli perhaps never had the natural ability to excel in the sport. He was just like any other cricketer playing at the Rajkumar Sharma cricket academy. So, how did he became the 'Virat' of the game?.
In 2012, Kohli was doing well at the international level, but something was missing. Deep inside he felt his body needed a change to become a top tier athlete and thus, Kohli 2.0 was born. No more junk food, no more sleeping late, he set a routine, which for common people like us would be a boring thing to do, but because of this boredom, he captivated his fans and set a new benchmark which allowed him to become the best athlete in India and in this sport.
His diet changed, the chubby Kohli was gone, and instead, he became a gym freak, something which was never previously seen in Indian cricket.
Sheer hunger for runs makes him the undisputed best of this era
When you watch Rohit Sharma bat, even Kohli would admit that the Mumbaikar has 1.5 extra seconds than anyone else to time the ball. When you watch Sachin bat, it feels as if the God is batting in front of us. Kohli, was neither a god, nor did he had the natural ability of Rohit.
However, he had the sheer hunger for runs which made him different from the others. The ability to push his body beyond his normality and the ability to win matches from impossible situation made him a darling amongst hardcore cricket lovers.
Kohli's sheer hunger for runs makes him special
His sporting journey is comparable with Tennis icon, Novak Djokovic. When the great Djokovic bursted onto the Tennis circuit, the game was dominated by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Djoker, wanted to break the duopoly and for that, he contacted Dr Igor Cetojevic who changed his life and the Plant based diet food came like a blessing in his life. Since changing his lifestyle, the Serb became world no 1, grabbed 24 Grand Slams and became the best in his sport.
Kohli, just like Djokovic, may not see another peak, but the two athletes have so much in common and interestingly both are media favourites (for all the wrong things). The transformation of "Cheeku" from a West Delhi boy to a generational cricketer is marvellous and perhaps the fans should cherish him a bit more, because he is not getting any younger and the retirement will come sooner, rather than later.
 "Anurag Dasgupta")
