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Crazy fans gave up on land space and took to the trees to catch a glimpse of their superstar Virat Kohli’s batting masterclass in the Vijay Hazare Trophy clash on December 24. Virat Kohli mania peaked during the Vijay Hazare Trophy clash between Delhi and Andhra Pradesh at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma hog limelight with VHT centuries
The contrast between the cricket scenes in Jaipur and Bengaluru couldn't have been more striking. While over 10,000 spectators packed Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium to witness Rohit Sharma’s explosive performance, the atmosphere in Bengaluru remained curiously muted. In Jaipur, organizers capitalized on the excitement of Mumbai’s opening match against Sikkim by offering free entry, turning the venue into a vibrant carnival. Rohit Sharma fed off this energy, delivering a stunning 155 off just 94 balls to ensure the home crowd left thoroughly entertained.
In Bengaluru, however, the experience for fans was far more restrictive. Despite the high-profile return of Kohli to the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Delhi’s clash against Andhra was held behind closed doors. While Kohli cracked an incredible century on his comeback, the milestone was largely shielded from public view due to the venue’s closed-door policy.
Trees become stands! Kohli’s ton sparks crazy fan scenes in VHT
Undeterred by the lack of stadium access, dedicated fans who had traveled to the outskirts of Bengaluru refused to miss the action. When Kohli walked out to bat during Delhi’s chase of 300, supporters resorted to creative, and precarious measures to catch a glimpse. Many scaled the branches of trees lining the perimeter, while others climbed atop container trucks parked near nearby warehouses. One fan’s footage, captured from high up in a tree, quickly went viral, serving as a testament to the lengths people will go to see their icons in action.
Kohli was a force to be reckoned with in the chase. Chasing a target of 299 against a formidable Andhra bowling attack featuring Nitish Kumar Reddy and Tripurana Vijay, Kohli was the epitome of elegance. He played with a rhythm that felt like a seamless extension of his recent international form, where he had already smashed two centuries against South Africa. In this outing, he notched 131 runs off 111 deliveries, including 14 boundaries and three sixes, marking his third ton in just five List A appearances.
The chase began on a shaky note for Delhi when opener Arpit Rana fell for a duck, but Kohli’s arrival at number three immediately stabilized the innings. Displaying his veteran composure, he allowed 24-year-old Priyansh Arya the space to settle in before taking full command of the game. The pair anchored the chase with a vital 113-run partnership for the second wicket, with Kohli meticulously managing the required run rate to ensure the pressure never mounted.
Simerjeet Singh pips Kohli to be named player of the match
Living up to his chase master reputation, Kohli treated the few onlookers to his full repertoire of strokes, from authoritative pulls and wristy flicks to his signature straight drives. He reached his half-century in just 39 balls and accelerated to his hundred in 83 deliveries. While Kohli’s batting was the headline act for the fans perched on rooftops and trees, he was not ultimately named Player of the Match. That honor went to pacer Simarjeet Singh, whose disciplined five-wicket haul was instrumental in restricting Andhra to 299, despite a fighting century from Ricky Bhui.
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