WATCH: Virat Kohli gives inspiring pep talk to young fan during nets ahead of Ranji Trophy game against Railways

With just a day to go, cricket fans are eager to see Virat Kohli back in action for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25. The former India skipper is set to play a domestic tournament after 12 years to work on his game. Delhi are due to play Railways in their final league encounter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday. 

During a nets session, one young fan walked up to Kohli and asked him how to play for India. The 36-year-old said, “A lot of hard work. Your father should not tell you to practice or train. You should yourself say every morning that you want to go to practice. If someone practices for an hour, you do it for two hours. That is the only way.”

VIDEO OF THE DAY 🤍

- A lovely interaction between Virat Kohli & young fan during the Ranji Trophy Practice session. pic.twitter.com/hWxS3gtTBT

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 28, 2025

The former India captain also added, “If someone scores a 50, you score a 100, and if someone scores a 100, you score a 200. Jo benchmark hai us se double.” The match comes at a time when Kohli is getting ready for the ODI series against England. Team India then travels to Dubai to play Champions Trophy 2025. 

Virat Kohli looking to work on his technique ahead of key matches

Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar was seen working with Virat Kohli and helping him iron out his flaws. The duo practiced together in Alibaug just before India’s former skipper could depart for Delhi to link up with his state teammates. 

2024 was a rough year for the 36-year-old in the Test format. Kohli skipped the entire five-match series against England due to the birth of his second child. In ten matches, the batter scored 417 runs with one century and one fifty and had an average of 24.5

His only ton came during the second innings of the Perth Test during the recent Australia tour. The 36-year-old got dismissed behind the wicket eight times during the tour, which raised lots of concerns about his technique. It is expected that KL Rahul will also take part in Karnataka's next domestic game starting on Thursday. 

Former India spinner and current Delhi coach Sarandeep Singh paid rich compliments to the former skipper. Singh, during his chat with IANS, said, “Young players were feeling motivated while training with their idol Virat Kohli. It is good for domestic cricket. We had just a cricket chat with Kohli and plans for the match were discussed. It was indeed a good day.”