Virat Kohli shared a jubilant hug with Navdeep Saini after the pacer shattered Vivek Singh’s stumps during the ongoing Group D Ranji Trophy clash between Delhi and Railways.
Known for his infectious energy on the field, Kohli charged towards Saini, celebrating the dismissal with an enthusiastic embrace. Kohli’s return to red-ball domestic cricket after 13 years has been one of the most anticipated moments of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season. The former India captain, aiming to rediscover his Test form, opted to play for Delhi in the final round of the tournament. The celebration unfolded in the seventh over of Railways’ innings when Saini bowled a good-length delivery that jagged sharply into the left-hander. Singh completely misjudged the line, and the ball crashed into the off-stump, sending him back for a 14-ball duck. Delhi’s bowlers have dominated the contest so far, with Railways struggling at 84/5 by the 26th over. Alongside Saini, Siddhant Sharma and Money Grewal have chipped in with crucial wickets. Saini, who played alongside Kohli for three seasons at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2019-2021) in the IPL and under his captaincy for the national team, shares a close bond with the batting maestro. Speaking about Kohli’s impact in the Delhi dressing room, Saini expressed his admiration for the 36-year-old, highlighting how his intensity has uplifted the squad. “A lot has changed because he is such a legend. Sharing the dressing room with him is a proud moment for all the boys. Watching him, we see how high his intensity is, and that raises our intensity as well. It’s a big plus for us,” Saini shared.