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Sandeep Singh has shared how Delhi cricketers admired Virat Kohli during Ranji Trophy, recalling a special training session.
Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025. (Picture Credit: AP)
Former India cricketer Sarandeep Singh has reminisced about how all the Delhi cricketers were overwhelmed when ace batter Virat Kohli came to play a Ranji Trophy game earlier this year, adding that they were passing the football during a training session only to Kohli, ignoring each other.
After a lean run in Australia, Kohli returned to the Ranji Trophy in line with the BCCI’s mandate, marking his first appearance in the premier red-ball competition in 12 years, but couldn’t make a significant score against Railways.
Sarandeep recalled an incident from a football session where everyone was passing the ball to Kohli, but no one was going close to him to avoid injuring him.
“They were playing football during training and everyone was passing the ball only to Virat. I went and stopped the game in between. I told Yash Dhull is screaming for a long time, give the ball to him also,” Sarandeep said while speaking on Taruwar Kohli’s YouTube channel.
“They said No, no, Virat is standing there. No one was even going near him, thinking what if they stamped on his foot by mistake or something. He then spoke to everyone, sat with the players and comforted them,” Sarandeep said.
The former Indian cricketer, who watched Kohli from close quarters during his Ranji return, spoke about his sudden retirement from Tests ahead of the England tour.
“I thought from the outside that he could play three more years. But it also matters what you are thinking as an individual. But he may feel that things are different now. I am also married, have a family, kids and responsibilities are more,” Sarandeep said.
“Your mind starts functioning differently. You are not just a cricketer but also a family man. So you start thinking differently then. He is a guy who doesn’t play for records. If he did, he wouldn’t have become Virat Kohli,” Sarandeep added.
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