With Virat Kohli playing a Ranji Trophy game after 12 years and crowds turning out in massive numbers, the authorities decided to deploy paramilitary forces to ensure the proceedings on day 1 in Delhi against the Railways go smoothly.

Arun Jaitley Stadium and the areas nearby experienced a heavy rush on Thursday, January 30 as Virat Kohli-mania gripped the city with the former India captain returning to Ranji Trophy fold after more than 12 years.

Virat Kohli craze hit Delhi as the former India captain made his return to Ranji Trophy after more than 12 years against Railways.

Fans started to queue up outside Gate No 16 and 17 from 7 am in the morning for the Railways Delhi game, broke barricades; DDCA forced to open more gates and stands

Such was Kohli's aura that a strong crowd of over 10,000 remained at the stadium despite Railways batting first.

Virat Kohli’s long-awaited return to the Ranji Trophy sparked massive excitement in Delhi, with thousands of fans queuing up outside the Arun Jaitley Stadium from as early as 5 AM. The chants of ‘RCB,

Watch: Virat Kohli and Navdeep Saini channel their RCB bond; hug one another in Delhi vs Railways. Find out more, only on.

Preparations were being made to telecast the game, more stands than usual were being readied for fans, and players on both sides were excited to be part of his first Ranji Trophy game since 2012

Virat Kohli returned to the Ranji Trophy after a gap of more than 12 years. Kohli is playing for Delhi in their final Ranji Trophy 2024-25 game against Railways.

Ahead of his return to Ranji Trophy, Virat Kohli had an intense training session with the Delhi squad and interacted with the players during the practice session. It was reported that Kohli declined captaincy offer by Delhi selection committee and agreed to play under the leadership of Ayush Badoni.