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A couple of teenagers from the neighbouring Ansari Road in Old Delhi were cleaning the seats of the old clubhouse, which is just below the media box at the stadium. One of them, with a dusting cloth in his hand, said in Hindi, ‘this might be the last time Virat will win the Ranji Trophy. With work, we will also be able to see him in action.” Once done with their job, their conversation moved towards Kohli’s black Porsche, parked near the players’ pavilion, one of them asked: “Wo Virat ki Porsche kitne ki hogi (What must the price of Virat’s car?). The other one took out his mobile and said: “Puch kar bolta hun (Will call him and let you know).” The duo burst into laughter.
Not just the fans, but even the Delhi players have been all agog ever since Kohli announced he would be playing the game. For the past two days, the sole aim for the 20-member Delhi squad was to “impress” Virat Kohli. Be it in the gym, during warm-ups, playing football or in the nets. The Railways’ stand-in captain Suraj Ahuja also admitted that even his team will be looking to impress Kohli by doing well in the game.
For Navdeep Saini, it is all about mahoul (atmosphere). “Virat bhaiya brings a different level of energy on and off the field. Mahoul ho alag hota hai (The atmosphere is completely different).
That it certainly has been. Barring Navdeep Saini, Himmat Singh is the only player in this squad, who has shared a dressing room with Virat Kohli. Himmat was part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. “I am pumped to play alongside him. It’s an absolute privilege,” he says. Himmat missed out in the last match after Rishabh Pant made himself available for the Gujarat game.
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For Jonty Sidhu, it was all about trying to impress Virat Kohli. “The sole aim was to get his attention. We did everything to impress our hero,” Jonty says. It will be Jonty Sidhu, who will have to make way for Virat Kohli in the playing XI against Railways.
The spotlight undoubtedly will be on former India captain Kohli who returns to the Delhi side after a staggering 12 years for a domestic fixture. But the chances of Delhi, currently placed in fifth place in the Elite Group D, to qualify for the knockouts are slim. They have win with a bonus point and hope that few other results in their group go in their favour. Railways, who are in fourth position with 17 points, will also be gunning to spoil Virat Kohli’s homecoming.
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On the eve of the match, Delhi captain Ayush Badoni confirmed that Virat Kohli will bat at No 4 in the middle order and that they are going for an outright win against Railways. “We want to end the season on a winning note. We are going for an outright win. With Virat Kohli joining us, the mood in the camp is lifted and everyone is excited for this fixture,” he told reporters.
It has been an exciting few days for the 24-year-old Ayush Badoni. Last week, he captained Rishabh Pant and for the next four days, Virat Kohli will be playing under his captaincy.
“I have played against Virat bhaiya in the IPL. It is an honour that in back-to-back matches I have now led Rishabh and Virat bhaiya. Their presence only is enough,” he said. Badoni hinted that with the pitch being on the greenish side, the side will pick an extra seamer.”The pitch is on the greener side. We will go with an all-out pace attack,” he said.
Railways has suffered an injury setback after their regular captain Pratham Singh has been ruled out from this fixture. Suraj Ahuja will lead the Railways in the absence of Pratham. “Pratham has a hamstring problem and he won’t be playing in this match,” says Ahuja.Railways stand-in skipper is expecting a high-intensity match and he is also hoping to impress Virat Kohli for the next four days.
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“With Virat Kohli playing, the intensity will certainly be higher. Players from both sides will be looking to give more than 100 per cent on the field in a quest to impress Virat Kohli,” he laughs.
Delhi vs Railways livestreaming details: The Delhi vs Railways, matches will be streamed live on the JioCinema app and website from January 30.
