Take any profession in this world; one must possess a strong mind if he or she wishes to carve a success story
The biggest sports news of the hour seems to be all about Virat Kohli, who is set to make his Ranji Trophy return after a hiatus of 12 years. As per multiple reports doing the rounds on the internet, the 36-year-old Delhi-based batter is likely to play for the Delhi Ranji team against the Railways on January 30.
For the record, Kohli’s last Ranji match was against Uttar Pradesh in 2012-13, in which he scored 57 runs. Overall, in 23 Ranji Trophy matches, Kohli accumulated 1,574 runs, including five centuries. However, from Kohli’s Ranji playing days, our favourite wasn’t those five centuries. It was a 90-run knock that an 18-year-old Kohli played in 2006, living up to his name—Virat, which means bravery, valour, or heroic.
At the Arun Jaitley Stadium (formerly Feroz Shah Kotla), despite Delhi’s extreme winter, all the players of Delhi were sweating because of the heat and pressure put on by an extremely formidable Karnataka bowling line-up.
In the first innings, Karnataka scored 446, whereas Delhi lost five wickets within 59 runs. However, on one end was an 18-year-old Virat Kohli, slowly building an innings. Kohli ended his first day of batting at 40 not out.
In the wee hours of December 19, Kohli received the news of his father’s sudden demise due to a heart attack. In such a situation, a majority of people often choose family over everything. However, not our King Kohli.
As the sun hit the ground, Kohli was back on the field displaying an act of ‘Sewa Paramo Dharma,’ which means ‘service is our prime duty’— motto that is upheld by the Indian Army.
Kohli stood his ground and endured the bowling attack of the Karnataka line-up. He spent 281 minutes on the crease, facing 238 balls and scoring 90 runs. Balachandra Akhil finally dismissed him, but he had done enough to save Delhi from losing the game, so the match ended in a draw.
18 december 2006,
— Harshwardhan Jain (@JainHarshwardha) December 18, 2023
Virat Kohli lost his father, his backbone at the age of 18 and the very next day Virat batted for hours and scored 90 runs. No one else can show such courage. Prem sir must be so proud in heaven watching his son making india proud. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/7S2ldI9LoF
Not to forget, he appeared in all the sessions and did not abandon his team even though the team did not reach a juncture where Delhi was needed to bat in the second innings.
In the last few years, Kohli has been heavily criticised for putting his family over cricket. Therefore, this is an apt opportunity to remind a set of fans about his commitment to the game and his sense of responsibility towards his team.
Kohli has also been criticised for not playing the longest format of the game in the domestic circuit for years, which has somewhat led to the dip he is presently facing in Test cricket.
However, Virat has listened to the words of fans and pundits and is set to return to domestic cricket, willing to give his all to find his form.
And like all those times he made a comeback, we expect another one from him—loud enough to silence all the naysayers.
