The moment Virat Kohli stepped out to bat, the whole stadium echoed with the cheers of thousands of roaring fans.

His return to the Ranji Trophy may have been highly anticipated, but for Kohli and his supporters, it was a chapter that ended in frustration rather than redemption.

The very next ball, Saini fired one into the pads, trapping Ayan Chaudhari plumb in front. Those twin strikes gave Delhi some momentum, leaving Railways at 182 for seven at tea. Saini had removed opener Vivek Singh earlier in the day with a ball that seamed back in to dislodge the timber.