NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli’s immense popularity was on full display yet again at the Arun Jaitley Stadium during Delhi’s Ranji Trophy match against Railways, as three fans breached security and sprinted across the field to touch his feet on Saturday.
The security breach occurred just before the lunch break on Day 3, causing a significant halt in play. The trio ran the length of the ground before reaching Kohli, who was fielding at the time.Security personnel and police swiftly intervened, escorting the pitch invaders out of the stadium.
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This was not the first such incident during the match. On the opening day, another fan had managed to evade security, reach Kohli, and touch his feet before being whisked away. Despite Kohli’s short stay at the crease in the first innings, fans continued to turn up in huge numbers, hoping to witness a vintage Kohli knock.
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Kohli walked out to bat on Day 2 to loud cheers from the packed stands. He started cautiously, surviving some nervy moments before producing a trademark straight drive off pacer Himanshu Sangwan, bringing the crowd to its feet. However, their joy was short-lived as Sangwan dismissed Kohli with the very next ball, rattling his off-stump.
Kohli’s return to red-ball domestic cricket follows the BCCI’s directive for international stars to participate in domestic tournaments when available.
Despite his brief innings, Kohli’s presence electrified the stadium, reinforcing his status as one of cricket’s biggest icons. His unmatched charisma continues to draw massive crowds, turning a Ranji Trophy fixture into a spectacle.