At exactly 9am when his jet black porsche zoomed in through the feeroz shah kotla ground’s ‘virender sehwag gate’, it was homecoming for delhi’s verry own Virat kohli, who checked in His first-class team after more than 12 years .
Save for Pacer Navdeep Saini, all other 18 members of Delhi’s Squad Had Only Seen Him on TV and Grown Up Listening to the Tales of how ‘Cheeku’, the CHEREKAME Talent, Became the ‘King’ of India.
In the last 15 years, Delhi’s ‘cheeku’ became a hazy memory as he turned into the mostly viable viable brand in global cricket, the face that ICC Sold in Its Olympic Bid Presentation.
On Monday, He was at his home ground for Around Three hours and Had Everyone in his vicinity hypnotised. Whether the Young Impressionable Players, or Seasoned Head Coach Sarandeep Singh or Batting Coach Bantu Singh – All of them evidently wanted to be close to Him.
Thought Court with all, The Former India skipper
“Woh Badlaa Nahi Hain. Usko Chhole-Poori Pasand The Aur Humne Mangaake Rakhha Thaa. T it), “A Senior DDCA (Delhi and Districts Cricket Association) Official Told PTI.
What He did seek out after practice ahead of his first ranji appearance in 12 years from from January 30 was also an old favorite.
“Practice Ke Baad Purane Time Ki Tarah Kadhi Chawal Khaya Sabke Saath (He Had Kadhi Chawal With Everyone),” Reveled the official.
Everyone shadowed the icon like it was an event. Ranji trophy matches are covered by a select bunch of domestic crick fathfulls but on monday, the numbers trebled.
Every move by the ‘king’ was followed. The two coaches – Sarandeep and Bantu – Ware by his side throughout and it would be different for photographers or videoogras to edit them from the frame.
“I Remember it was ajit chaudhary, the estwhile manager of the delhi ranji team, who nicknamed Him ‘Cheeku’ Back in 2006-07,” DDCA SECRETARY Ashok Sharma, Fondly Called ‘Mama’ As yesterday. He has Seen Kohli Since He first came here for u-15 trials.
The training
It was an evcation to remumber for the Sanat Sangwans, Arpit Ranas and Siddhant Sharmas but for Kohli it was business as usual. It seemed he had left the star outside the ground and had turned up as their very haven ‘Virat Bhaiya’.
The 35 minute warm-up before an inconsequational final game against the railways was the longest that the senior team has spent to Loosen Up Prior to Net Session.
There was a 15-minute game of football and he had some sprints down the wide right, also enjoy a log or two. But Once the Net Session Started, The Game Face was on.
He quietly walked to the nets where skipper ayush badoni was batting.
Seeing Kohli Walk Towards the Nets, Badoni was Visibly Conscious Before Kohli Told Him: ‘Ayush Tu Batting Karle, Phir Dono Switch Karke Karenge (Ayush Youush You KEEP BATTING. ns to bat.) ”
He spent close to an hour at the nets. At first, He Took Throw-Downs Where He Kept Pall Shot.
Once he had done enough knowing, kohli entered the spinners’ nets where he faceed left-Arm Spinners Harsh Tyagi and Sumit Mathur. A less balls did grip and stop but there wasn’t much bit in their bowling. DITTO For Parsers Navdeep Saini, Money Grewal, Rahul Gehlot and Siddhant Sharma.
Unlike India Nets, Kohli Hardly Looked Troubled Although He Did Practice Leaving a Lot of Deliveries. With the champions trophy round the corner, kohli was seen trying to play a lot beeside the line of delivery.
Of late, he is concentrating on back-foot play and trying to increase his range of shots square of wicket. Obvious, before trying out in champions trophy, domestic cricket is good ground for a ‘pilot episode’.
“He was very happy with the surfaces. Phir Aaoonga Batting Karne , ‘Bhati said.
Virat Kohli Working on His Back Foot Game! pic.twitter.com/5A7vjosc59 – Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_vkohli) January 28, 2025
Advice for Little Kabir and His Teammates
A chubby fourth Standard Student Kabir Had Come with a sketch of ‘Uncle Virat’, Who Once Played Delhi U-17 and U-19 Cricket with his Father Shavez Back in the day.
“We had a bat contrast with bdm and would go togeether to pick bats. We have been friends for long,” Shavez Said.
When kabir was asked about his conversation with kohli, he said: “I asked Should Tell Papa, I have to go to Practice ‘. ”
And for his young delhi colleagues, The Advice was Vintage Kohli.
“Delhiwaale ho, dum dikhao. Shuruat accha kiya phir thande padh gaye.
In form or out-of-form, ‘King’ will remain a ‘king’.