Karnataka’s Round 7 Ranji Trophy 2024-25 match against Haryana at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru witnessed a rather unexpected yet heartwarming moment. Despite a sparse crowd at the iconic venue, one particular fan—a teenage student—stood out.
The young boy carried a placard revealing that he had skipped his school exam just to watch KL Rahul bat. The Karnataka star’s return to Ranji Trophy after several years had already generated buzz among the locals, and for this passionate fan, it was worth missing an exam to see his idol in action.
Meanwhile, in another Round 7 fixture between Delhi and Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Virat Kohli made his much-anticipated return to domestic cricket after more than a decade. The venue was packed to capacity on Day 2, resembling an international match atmosphere, with fans eager to witness Kohli bat.
However, their excitement was short-lived as the former India captain was dismissed for just 6 runs in the opening session.
What followed was remarkable—the crowd, which had packed the stands, began leaving immediately after Kohli’s dismissal. Within minutes, the electric atmosphere faded, returning to the usual quiet of a domestic fixture.
Delhi went on to win the match by an innings, meaning Kohli never got a chance to bat again.