Crowd chaos at Arun Jaitley Stadium upon Virat Kohli's Ranji Trophy return, few supporters injured

Stampede-like situation outside Arun Jaitley Stadium

Star Indian cricketer Virat Kohli’s return to Delhi's Ranji Trophy team after 12 years witnessed chaos take place outside the Arun Jaitley Stadium on January 30. The excited fans who were eager to watch the legend in action stormed into the stadium as the gates opened, resulting in a stampede-like situation, leading to injuries and damage to property. Despite strict security measures, the massive turnout caused logistical challenges.

Kohli’s decision to play Ranji Trophy after 12 years

Kohli, who last played in the Ranji Trophy back in 2012 against Uttar Pradesh, decided to participate in the 2024-25 edition of Delhi’s match against Railways. His decision to play domestic cricket comes in preparation for the upcoming Champions Trophy. 

Fans injured during heavy rush at Gate 16

Outside Gate 16 of the stadium, a rush of supporters led to several people falling and sustaining injuries. According to India Today, at least three individuals suffered minor injuries, with one requiring a bandage on the leg. The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) security and local police had to intervene to provide immediate medical help.

Also Read - Watch: Delhi crowd chants 'RCB RCB' outside Arun Jaitley Stadium to watch Virat Kohli play in Ranji Trophy

Security concerns and property damage

Furthermore, a police bike was damaged, and many fans left behind their belongings, including shoes, as they rushed to enter the stadium. A security guard also suffered minor injuries while attempting to control the situation.

Massive turnout of fans from early morning

As one of India’s biggest cricketing icons, his participation in a first-class game after more than a decade naturally attracted a huge crowd. Fans gathered outside the stadium from as early as 5 AM, eager to catch a glimpse of the star batter in action.

DDCA’s security measures and crowd management

DDCA Secretary Ashok Kumar Sharma had earlier revealed that entry into the stadium required an Aadhar card and its copy, working towards regulating the number of spectators. However, given the large number of fans trying to enter, managing the crowd turned out to be a tough task. Following the incident, security arrangements have been further strengthened to prevent a repeat of the chaos in the coming days.

Meanwhile, after the official announcement of Kohli's availability for the game, JioCinema decided to live-stream the match, for fans who wished to watch the star batter live. In the match, the home side skipper Ayush Badoni won the toss and elected to field first. During the early hours of the game, a pitch invader ran onto the field and touched the 36-year-old's feet and was later taken away by the security personnel. The veteran also signaled the security to not hit the emotional fan.