‘It was overwhelming’: Fan frenzy for Virat Kohli’s first Ranji match in 13 years leaves teammates, opponents awestruck | Cricket News
With Virat Kohli’s presence creating an unprecedented fan frenzy in Delhi’s Ranji Trophy match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday, his Delhi teammates as well as their opponents were also awestruck the India batting icon.
“His energy is so high, automatically our energy level also goes up with him around. Then his effort, whenever he is batting, fielding or in gym, his intensity, it is always 110 percent,” Kohli’s teammate Navdeep Saini said at the end of first day’s play between Delhi and Railways.
“As we were coming in the morning we saw the long line and realised that this is going to be different…The fans would just pour in,” the pacer, who has also played for India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru with Kohli, added.
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“It’s a matter of great pride, sharing the dressing room, standing in the slips near him, standing in the ground, the bowlers looking to seek his guidance… it’s a great learning experience,” Saini said.
Railways player Upendra Yadav who scored 95 to steer Railways to 241 on day one of their tie said that the feeling of playing a Ranji Trophy match with Kohli in the middle was overwhelming.
“Generally when we play Ranji Trophy match we don’t see this kind of crowd, so it feels pretty good when a big player comes and plays with you. It was overwhelming. The kind of crowd that you get to see in IPL, the atmosphere was similar today,” Yadav said.
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“So how do we maintain composure when Virat bhaiya comes out to bat, we had our bowlers’ meeting and we have made our plans, but I will obviously not share with you guys.
“We don’t need to get carried away the atmosphere. We just have to bowl in the good length area. We were inspired, but we are not under pressure. When a cricketer of this stature plays with you, then obviously you get excited,” Upendra said.
