The Ranji Trophy may not have generated as much excitement as it did during Sachin Tendulkar’s final first-class match in 2013. A little-known cricket ground in Lahli saw about 15,000 spectators when the greatest Indian batter of all time announced his retirement from domestic cricket. There were five thousand more waiting outside. Despite not being on the same level, about 10,000 people attended the Arun Jaitley Stadium to watch Virat Kohli play when he returned to the Ranji Trophy after a 122-month absence.
For both fans and Kohli, the outcome wasn’t ideal. The Delhiite did not bat on the first day, and when he did bat in the early session on the second day, he faced only 15 balls and scored only 6 runs. The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) had opened two fully occupied stands, and almost everyone in the stands vanished as soon as Himanshu Sangwan castled him.
