DDCA arranges extra seats to accommodate Virat Kohli fans at Ranji Trophy game

India's batting stalwart Virat Kohli is all set to make a long-awaited return to domestic cricket by featuring in Delhi’s Ranji Trophy clash against Railways on January 30. Kohli will play a first-class game after 12 years. Looking at Kohli's fan following, the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) is making special arrangements to accommodate the high demand of spectators coming in.

According to reports, the seating for 10,000 fans will be set up, with free entry to ensure smooth and systematic organization for the game that is scheduled to be held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Notably, the ground already boasts a seating capacity of 55,000 spectators, however, for domestic games, entry is restricted and limited. As a result, extra seats in terms of more stands being open for public access is being planned by the association.

Interestingly, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) added extra seats for a Ranji Trophy match featuring Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal for the ongoing game at the MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy, BKC, in Mumbai.

The 36-year-old's decision to participate in the Ranji Trophy comes after a dip in his Test performances, with many raising concerns over his form in the red-ball format. Moreover, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s recent policy encourages centrally contracted players to feature in domestic tournaments to get back to their rhythm and match fitness.

The policy was introduced after India’s recent Test series losses against New Zealand and Australia, leading to questioning the importance of domestic cricket for senior players.

Also Read: Kohli returns to roots after 12 years, Delhi's Ranji Trophy thriller awaits

The Delhi-born's last appearance in a Ranji Trophy game dates back to the 2012/13 season against Uttar Pradesh, where he scored 14 and 43 in the two innings. Since then, his international commitments have kept him away from domestic cricket. Kohli’s inclusion is expected to provide a boost to the Delhi team, which is fighting for a spot in the knockout stages of the tournament.