Virat Kohli’s much-awaited return to the Ranji Trophy took an unexpected turn as the star batter failed to deliver with the bat on Day 2 of Delhi’s match against Railways. Kohli was dismissed for just six runs, raising further concerns over his form following lackluster performances in recent Test matches against Australia and New Zealand.
Kohli’s Short Stay at the Crease
After the fall of Yash Dhull’s wicket, Kohli walked in to bat with high expectations from the packed crowd at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. He initially looked steady, getting off the mark with a single and following it up with a stylish boundary. However, the joy was short-lived as Railways pacer Himanshu Sangwan produced a brilliant delivery to shatter Kohli’s off-stump.
Kohli attempted to step out and play an aggressive shot, but the ball, which pitched outside off, jagged back in sharply, sneaking through the bat-pad gap to crash into the stumps. The stunned Delhi crowd watched in silence as Kohli made his way back to the pavilion, while Sangwan celebrated a prized wicket.
Who is Himanshu Sangwan?
Himanshu Sangwan, a right-arm medium pacer, hails from Delhi and represents Railways in domestic cricket. He made his List A debut in September 2019 during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, followed by his T20 debut in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy the same season. His first-class debut came later that year in the Ranji Trophy.
Before making a name in domestic cricket, Sangwan worked as a ticket collector at the New Delhi Railway Station. He also honed his skills at the prestigious MRF Pace Foundation, where he trained under Australian bowling legend Glenn McGrath.
Pressure Mounts on Kohli and Other Senior Players
Kohli’s struggles with the bat have been evident in recent months, leading the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to encourage senior players to participate in domestic tournaments to regain form. Besides Kohli, other top Indian cricketers like Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Yashasvi Jaiswal have also been actively competing in the Ranji Trophy to stay match-fit ahead of international assignments.
As the match progresses, all eyes will be on Kohli’s second innings, where he will have another opportunity to silence his critics and find his rhythm with the bat.
