Virat Kohli made his highly anticipated return to domestic red-ball cricket on Thursday, taking the field for Delhi in their final Ranji Trophy league match against Railways. This marked his first appearance for Delhi in over 12 years, a significant moment for both Kohli and his fans. His last appearance for the side was alongside cricketing legends like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, and Ishant Sharma.

While Kohli’s career has skyrocketed over the years, transforming him into one of the greatest modern-day batsmen, his relationship with Gambhir has been notably turbulent. The two had several public clashes, particularly during the Indian Premier League (IPL). One of the most talked-about incidents occurred in the 2013 season, raising concerns over their bond. Kohli, representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Gambhir, captaining Kolkata Knight Riders, were involved in a heated altercation during a match, which saw former Delhi player Rajat Bhatia step in to mediate.

Bhatia, who played for KKR, was caught in the middle, earning a reputation as the peacemaker between the two cricketing heavyweights.

As Kohli made his comeback to red-ball cricket, Bhatia humorously remarked that he’s probably better known for his role as a mediator between Kohli and Gambhir than for his own cricketing feats.

“People mostly remember me for stopping a fight between two players. That seems to have left a bigger impression than my performances. Now, one of them has a stand named after him, and the other has a pavilion (laughs),” Bhatia shared during the broadcast.

He added, “Every team has its share of small disagreements. Even in Delhi’s Ranji squad, we had them. But it’s important not to hold onto those moments. Today, one is the head coach, and the other plays a pivotal role in the team.”

Kohli’s Flop show in first appearance after 12 years

Kohli, however, had a challenging return to the crease, being dismissed for just 6 runs off 15 balls in the first innings. Himanshu Sangwan took his wicket, sending the Delhi batter’s stump flying early in his innings. Kohli had entered this match on the back of a lean patch with the bat, having failed to score a half-century in his previous 10 Test matches, managing just one century during that stretch.