Virat Kohli may have achieved superstar status in world cricket, but his dedication and humble demeanor remain unchanged—or almost.
The star batter, making his return to domestic cricket after over 12 years, joined Delhi’s practice session on Tuesday ahead of their Ranji Trophy clash against Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on January 30. Unsurprisingly, his presence left everyone—players, coaches, and fans—spellbound.
Kohli, affectionately known as “Cheeku,” last represented Delhi in a first-class game in December 2012 against Uttar Pradesh. Now returning as the ‘king’ of Indian cricket, his attitude showed no signs of the arrogance often associated with such a title.
His commitment and dedication to the game remain as strong as ever, regardless of the level he is playing at. However, one thing has changed—his eating habits.
A known fan of chhole bhature whenever he visited Delhi, Kohli surprised everyone by turning down the beloved breakfast dish on Tuesday. “Woh badla nahi hai. Usko chhole poori pasand thi aur humne mangaake rakha tha. Usne bola chhole poori nahi khaunga (He loved chhole poori, and we had it ready for him, but he said he wouldn’t eat it),” a senior DDCA official shared.
Instead, after the practice session, Kohli indulged in another old favorite: kadhi chawal. “Practice ke baad purane time ki tarah kadhi chawal khaya sabke saath (He had kadhi chawal with everyone, just like old times),” the official revealed.
The atmosphere during Kohli’s three-hour practice session felt like a grand event. Typically, only a handful of domestic cricket enthusiasts attend Ranji matches, but on Tuesday, the numbers tripled.
Every move of the ‘King’ was tracked, with coaches Sarandeep Singh and Bantu Singh staying close to him throughout. Even photographers and videographers struggled to capture a moment without them in the frame.
DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma, fondly known as “Mama,” reminisced about the origins of Kohli’s famous nickname. “I remember it was Ajit Chaudhary, the former manager of the Delhi Ranji team, who nicknamed him ‘Cheeku’ back in 2006-07,” Sharma said with a smile, as if it happened yesterday.
Kohli’s presence on his home ground had a magnetic effect. Young players, seasoned coaches, and even his former U-19 coach Mahesh Bhati—now the administrative manager of the team—all gravitated toward him.
Though courteous with everyone, Kohli seemed most at ease chatting with Bhati, revisiting old memories while preparing for his first Ranji Trophy appearance in over a decade.
The “King” of cricket may have returned to where it all began, but his humility and love for the game remain constant, continuing to inspire everyone around him.