Roshanara Club, where Virat Kohli’s red-ball career blossomed, sealed Delhi Development Authority | Cricket News

Virat Kohli’s childhood mentor and coach, Raj Kumar Sharma says it was at the Roshanara Club ground where the former India captain played a coming-of-age-knock in 2009 in a Ranji Trophy match against Maharashtra.
“It was at this ground where I saw Virat playing one of his finest knocks in the longer format. It was against Maharashtra and we were set for an outright win, but for bonus (points) we needed a 10-wicket win. Virat, who was captain of the Delhi team, walked out to open with Mithun Manhas, and we chased down the total without losing any wicket,” Sharma told The Indian Express. Kohli scored an unbeaten 67. Delhi were set a target of 112 and the ball was seaming even on a Day 4 wicket, typical of the tracks rolled out at the Roshanara Club grounds.
The iconic Roshanara Club, where the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), was formed back in 1928 has been sealed the DDA (Delhi Development Authority) after its lease expired. The club has hosted several first-class and age-group matches over the years.
Roshanara Club, the birthplace of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), sealed Delhi Development Authority, in New Delhi on Friday. (Express Photo Praveen Khanna)
Not only Virat Kohli, the ground has also been hailed as one of the finest current Team India coach Rahul Dravid. Former Delhi pacer Sumit Narwal, who regered his best bowling figure 7 for 43 against Railways, recollects: “When I was with the Rajasthan Royals, Rahul bhai asked me why Delhi don’t play more often on Roshanara. He said he has had one of the finest experiences in first-class cricket. Playing for Karnataka Rahul bhai has scored against us and I remember Shikhar too had scored a century in that match. Playing at Roshanara used to be a blessing for the seam bowlers because it used to be a green top,” he added.

Former India spinner Nikhil Chopra says playing at Roshanara used to give us an “England vibe.”
“I have so many fond memories, right from the Under-15 days. It has always been a good sporting pitch and because of the bounce both pacers and spinners used to be in the fray. Before my debut Ranji Trophy season I gave a trial here where I scored 55 runs and took three wickets,” Nikhil said.
Former Delhi players Gursharan Singh and KP Bhaskar say apart from being the most picturesque domestic grounds in the country it was the ambience which used to be so regal.
Roshanara Club, the birthplace of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), sealed Delhi Development Authority, in New Delhi on Friday. (Express Photo Praveen Khana)
“Delhi has always played in Roshanara to get a result. It has always been a result oriented pitch. In your junior cricket days we used to wait to play at Roshanara club just for the food,” said Gursharan Singh, who has played one Test and one ODI for India.
KP Bhaskar, who has played 95 first-class matches for Delhi says the pitch at the Roshanara used to be a batting paradise for a middle-order batter.Most Read
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“First hour used to be seamer-friendly. If you have negotiated that phase, then it was batting friendly. It was a favourite hunting ground for me,” he said.

Jagrit Anand, a former Delhi batter, who has played all his cricket for the Roshanara Club is hopeful that cricketing activities won’t be hampered.
“It is a bit emotional for me. I started playing at the club when I was seven. My first game as a Delhi player was at the club. I was not in the playing XI but I was in the squad. I hope they will find a solution for all this mess,” he said.