The crowd at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi was left heartbroken as their superstar Virat Kohli's return to the Ranji Trophy ended in disappointment. Fans' sadness doubled up when Delhi captain Ayush Badoni narrowly missed a century in the first innings. Badoni was dismissed for 99 against Railways in a crucial group game at home.
In the 56th over, Badoni attempted a big shot to reach his century. He went for a slog sweep against leg-spinner Karn Sharma but mistimed it, resulting in a top-edge that was caught inside the 30-yard circle.
A hush fell over the Arun Jaitley Stadium for the second time that day. Virat Kohli, watching from the dugout, displayed visible disappointment as the cameras focused on him. Head coach Sarandeep Singh shared the disbelief, witnessing Badoni's squandering of a promising innings.
Virat Kohli was left distorted after Ayush Badoni's dismissal on 99
Badoni's own frustration was evident as he threw his helmet away upon crossing the boundary line. His dismissal was particularly painful given the context of the game. He and Sumit Mathur had built a vital 133-run partnership for the fifth wicket, rescuing Delhi from a precarious 97 for 4 in their response to Railways' total of 241.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium was buzzing with anticipation for Kohli's Ranji Trophy return after 12 years. An extra stand had been opened on Thursday to accommodate the eager fans, and the rush continued into Friday. Early in the morning, the Gautam Gambhir and Bishan Singh Bedi stands were overflowing with spectators hoping to witness Kohli's batting prowess. Many, however, had already departed after Kohli's early dismissal in the first session.
When overnight batter Yash Dhull was dismissed, and Kohli finally walked onto the field, the crowd erupted. Cheers echoed through the stadium as the local hero prepared to bat. But the excitement proved fleeting. Kohli's innings was short-lived, as he was bowled for a mere six runs.
Himanshu Sangwan claimed the prized wicket, sending Kohli's off-stump tumbling. The silence that followed was a stark contrast to the earlier jubilation.
Despite the earlier setbacks, Badoni launched a spirited counter-attack, shifting the pressure back onto Railways. His innings was characterized by aggressive strokeplay, including three sixes and 12 boundaries, as he took control of the game. The Lucknow Super Giants player displayed particular dominance against the spinners, confidently using his feet to advance down the pitch and send the ball soaring into the stands.
Badoni's performance in this match is part of a larger resurgence in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season. Having been given the captaincy, he has led Delhi from the front, accumulating 499 runs in five matches of the prestigious domestic tournament.