Upendra Yadav has played four matches for India A. He has also been part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL). But the 28-year-old’s decade-long career had a first on Thursday as he saw a boisterous crowd of 12,000-plus turn up for a Ranji Trophy match.

“When we play in the Ranji Trophy, we don’t see such crowds. It feels good when a big player is taking part. It did feel overwhelming. I could never be in the playing XI in the IPL and get the feel of such a big atmosphere. The feeling when the crowd roars and makes noise is totally different. I was able to feel that today,” Upendra said.

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The Railways wicketkeeper-batter was put to test against Delhi on day one of their Group D Ranji Trophy clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, all thanks to the mania around Virat Kohli who took part in the First-Class competition after more than 12 years.

Upendra coped with the electric atmosphere just fine, scoring a crucial 95 to take Railways to 241 after it was tottering at 66 for five in the morning session. At the close of play, Delhi was 41 for one, with Kohli slated to come in when a wicket falls on Friday.

For the cheering fans that had turned up from many parts of the national capital and its surrounding districts, the ideal situation on Thursday would have been for the host to win the toss and bat in order to watch Kohli show his magic at No. 4. Even when Delhi skipper Ayush Badoni opted to bowl, watching five Railways wickets fall before the lunch break would have kept their hopes up.

But Upendra’s 104-run stand with Karn Sharma was pivotal in taking Railways to a competitive total and delaying Kohli’s arrival to the crease by a day.