Thousands of fans have filled a stadium in the Indian capital, Delhi, as Virat Kohli makes his much-anticipated return to domestic cricket after more than 12 years. The 36-year-old star batter has turned out for Delhi on Thursday in the Ranji Trophy match against the Railways team at the well-attended Arun Jaitley stadium.

At first, the DDCA opened the roughly 6,000-capacity 'Gautam Gambhir Stand' for spectators but sensing the crowd situation could go out of hand, the officials were forced to open the 'Bishan Bedi Stand' which can accommodate around 14,

Virat Kohli’s return to the Ranji Trophy after more than a decade has ignited immense excitement among cricket fans, drawing fresh attention to India’s premier domestic tournament. The star batter, who last played in the competition in 2012, was named in Delhi’s starting XI for their clash against Railways.

Virat Kohli’s highest score for Delhi came in 2008 Nissar Trophy against Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited when the star batter scored 197 in the second innings.

Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli on Tuesday practiced with his Delhi Ranji teammates at the Arun Jaitley Stadium here as the senior batter is set for a comeback into the domestic circuit after 12 years.