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All roads lead to Kotla as King Kohli returns to Ranji after 12 years

Excited fans gathered at Arun Jaitley Stadium early in the morning for Virat Kohli's first Ranji match in over 12 years. Over 13,000 people, including those who traveled long distances, eagerly filled the stands to see Kohli, showing unbridled enthusiasm even though he did not get to bat on Day 1.

NEW DELHI: It was cold play, the old way. The Arun Jaitley Stadium (formerly Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium ) heaved with excited fans who'd braved the early-morning nip in the air to be there. There was a group of youngsters, who'd started from Meerut at 4am.

There were Greater Noida families with kids long having banished sleep from their eyes, who'd reached the venue as early as 7am - a full two-and-a-half hours before scheduled start of play. You could be forgiven for thinking they were there for an international match or even the IPL. In fact, they were there for just one man.

Over 13,000 people, thronging the two stands thrown open for free on the first day of Virat Kohli 's first Ranji match in over 12 years. He didn't get to bat on Day 1, but even that did not dampen the crowd's enthusiasm. They loyally stayed on, cheering his every move.

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