Irfan Pathan’s Cryptic Post Sparks Debate After Virat Kohli’s Early Dismissal in Ranji Trophy

Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan comments on modern-day cricketers after Virat Kohli’s shocking dismissal against Railways in the Ranji Trophy.

New Delhi, January 31 – Virat Kohli’s return to domestic cricket was met with much excitement as fans packed the Arun Jaitley Stadium, eager to witness a classic Kohli masterclass. However, their hopes were quickly dashed as Kohli lasted only 15 deliveries before being dismissed by Himanshu Sangwan on Day 2 of Delhi’s Ranji Trophy match against Railways.

His wicket left the stadium in stunned silence, and soon after, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan took to X (formerly Twitter) with a cryptic post that seemed to reflect on modern-day cricketers’ approach to the game.

“At the end of the day, a modern-day cricketer’s job is to play cricket year-round, managing niggles and injuries, not to train for 10 months just to play for 2 months,” Pathan wrote.

While Pathan didn’t directly mention Kohli, his timing led fans to speculate whether his post was a veiled remark on Kohli’s return to domestic cricket after a long break.

Kohli’s Brief Stay at the Crease

Virat Kohli showed glimpses of brilliance, executing a perfect straight drive on his 14th delivery to send the crowd into a frenzy. However, his moment of magic was short-lived. On the very next ball, Himanshu Sangwan delivered a stunning inswinger, breaching Kohli’s defense and sending his off-stump flying. Kohli had to walk back to the pavilion for just 6 runs (15 balls).

A wave of disappointment swept through the crowd, with a significant section of fans leaving the stadium immediately after Kohli’s dismissal.

Ayush Badoni Leads Delhi’s Fightback

Following Kohli’s early exit, Delhi captain Ayush Badoni took charge, anchoring the innings with a brilliant knock. Alongside Sumit Mathur, Badoni built a 133-run partnership, putting Delhi in a commanding position.

Badoni came heartbreakingly close to his fourth first-class century, but Karn Sharma dismissed him on 99, denying him the milestone. Meanwhile, Sumit Mathur remained unbeaten on 78 (189 balls), steering Delhi to 334/7, securing a 93-run lead at the end of Day 2.

Final Thoughts: What’s Next for Kohli & Delhi?

While Kohli’s early dismissal may have disappointed fans, Delhi remains in a strong position thanks to Ayush Badoni’s heroic innings. As discussions around Irfan Pathan’s cryptic tweet continue, all eyes will be on Kohli’s next innings to see if he can bounce back and remind fans why he remains one of cricket’s greatest batters.

Virat Kohli, Irfan Pathan, Ranji Trophy, Indian Cricket, Domestic Cricket, Railways vs Delhi, Kohli Wicket, Himanshu Sangwan, Ayush Badoni, Cricket News, Delhi Cricket, Arun Jaitley Stadium

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