Virat Kohli Makes First-Class Comeback After 12 Years, Fans Rush Stadium

Virat Kohli made his long-awaited return to first-class cricket on Thursday, taking the field for the first time in 12 years in the ongoing Ranji Trophy match against Suraj Ahuja Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The announcement of his participation set the stage for a massive turnout, as cricket enthusiasts from across the city flocked to the venue.

With free entry to the match, thousands of fans arrived early, eager to catch a glimpse of the cricket superstar. The demand to see Kohli in action was overwhelming, with spectators queuing as early as 4 a.m. outside the stadium. The scene inside the stadium was electric, with every seat in the Gautam Gambhir Stand filled to capacity, and additional spectators directed to the Bishan Singh Bedi Stand to accommodate the unexpected surge in attendance.

As the gates opened, chaos ensued, particularly at Gate 16. The crowd, eager to enter, caused a frenzy, leading to three reported injuries. Two fans were injured at the gate, while a police motorcycle was damaged, and several people lost their shoes in the commotion. In the midst of the chaos, a security guard was also injured while attempting to maintain order. Despite these incidents, the injured fans were promptly attended to by DDCA security and local police.

The high demand for entry resulted in some inconvenience for young fans who had to contend with the pushing and shoving outside the venue. Authorities, recognizing the overwhelming crowd, made adjustments to their plans, opening additional gates to facilitate smoother access.

Delhi Cricket officials were caught off guard by the sheer volume of spectators, acknowledging that they had not anticipated such a large turnout.Virat Kohli Makes First-Class Comeback After 12 Years, Fans Rush Stadium