Kohli spreads some love in Delhi ahead of Ranji return

The yearning, awe and nostalgia have placed the questions around his form on the backburner

- Samreen Razzaqui

NEW DELHI: The Arun Jaitley Stadium has witnessed many legends walk its turf but for the last couple of days, it's belonged to one man. For a city that has claimed Virat Kohli as its own - even as he shifted base to Mumbai and more recently, London - his return for a Ranji Trophy match after 12 years is not just a cricketing event, it's a blend of many, many emotions.

The yearning, awe and nostalgia have placed the questions around his recent form on the backburner. At least, briefly.

His teammates, most of whom may have been in school when he last played a game for his state back in 2012, have admitted to wanting to impress the star in what is their first-ever interaction with them.

At one moment on Wednesday, the net got tangled, prompting Kohli to drop to his knees and attempt to fix it with his bat. A couple of youngsters quickly joined in, trying to help before the groundsmen stepped in to resolve the issue - almost as if to say "You've returned after so long, let us take care of it".