In his first Ranji Trophy match in 13 years, former India captain Virat Kohli lasted just six runs before falling to Railways pacer Himanshu Sangwan. The prized wicket sent the crowd into a frenzy, only for the stadium to empty just as quickly as it had filled to watch Kohli bat. If he wasn’t known before, Sangwan will now surely become a household name, having dismissed one of the greatest batters of the modern era.
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Virat Kohli’s much-awaited return to the Ranji Trophy ended in disappointment as
Railways pacer Himanshu Sangwan produced a stunning delivery to send his off-stump flying. Kohli, who had just showcased his trademark straight drive off Sangwan, was undone on the very next ball, a fullish delivery that angled in and seamed sharply through the gap between bat and pad. The sight of Kohli’s off-stump rattled silenced the Arun Jaitley Stadium, with fans quickly leaving the stands after witnessing the prized wicket.
Kohli’s brief stay at the crease lasted 15 balls for just six runs, leaving Delhi at 87/3, still trailing Railways by 140 runs. However, while Kohli’s early dismissal made headlines, the man behind the moment, Himanshu Sangwan, also earned attention for his brilliant spell.
The crowd started leaving Arun Jaitley Stadium 🏟️ as soon as Virat Kohli got out. (Vipul Kashyap) ✨#ViratKohli𓃵 #ChampionsTrophy #RanjiTrophy #ViratRanjiComeback pic.twitter.com/Gl2tuyHBdk
— Sachin VK 18 (@sachin_18VK__) January 31, 2025
Who is Himanshu Sangwan?
Born in 1995 in Najafgarh, Delhi, the same locality as former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag, Himanshu Sangwan has carved a name for himself in domestic cricket. A right-arm pacer, Sangwan initially played Under-19 cricket for Delhi before moving to Railways, where he found a consistent spot in First-Class cricket.
At 29 years old, Sangwan has quietly built an impressive record. In 23 First-Class matches, he has taken 77 wickets at a stunning average of 19.92, proving to be a key asset for Railways. His best bowling figures stand at 7/81, with six four-wicket hauls and three five-wicket hauls to his name.
While Sangwan has flourished in the longer format, his white-ball performances haven’t been as remarkable. In 17 List A matches, he has picked up just 21 wickets, while in seven T20 games, he has taken only five wickets. His best List A bowling performance is 4/44 and his best T20 figure is 2/31.
Despite a quiet career, Sangwan’s dismissal of Virat Kohli, the global superstar, has suddenly placed him in the spotlight. The moment of brilliance, removing one of the greatest modern-day batters in red-ball cricket, might just be a turning point for the Railways pacer.
Virat Kohli’s recent return to domestic cricket was prompted by a lackluster performance in Tests last year. However, Kohli is not the only Indian cricketer
to be directed by the BCCI to participate in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. Several other prominent players, including Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ravindra Jadeja, have also represented their respective teams in previous matches.