Unexpected Advice and a Special Wicket
Railways pacer Himanshu Sangwan found himself in the spotlight after dismissing Virat Kohli during the Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Kohli’s much-anticipated return to domestic cricket after 12 years was the talk of the town, but it was Sangwan who stole the show.
The 29-year-old fast bowler, who made his First-Class debut in 2019, clean-bowled Kohli with a sharp inswinger, leaving the crowd in stunned silence. Kohli managed just six runs off 15 balls before his off-stump was sent cartwheeling. Interestingly, Sangwan received some unexpected advice before the match—from the team’s bus driver, who suggested that bowling a fourth or fifth-stump line to Kohli would get him out. However, Sangwan trusted his own instincts and stuck to his strengths.
“Everyone was talking about Kohli’s return. Even our bus driver advised me to bowl outside off-stump to him. But I wanted to focus on my strengths instead of someone else’s weaknesses. I bowled my natural deliveries, and it worked,” Sangwan told Hindustan Times.
A Memorable Interaction with Kohli
Sangwan had no specific plans for Kohli but was aware of Delhi’s aggressive stroke players. His disciplined bowling earned him a special moment after the innings when Kohli personally congratulated him.
“After our innings ended, I was walking back to the dressing room when Virat Bhaiya shook my hand and said, ‘Very well bowled.’ I requested a picture with him during the lunch break. I took the same ball with which I dismissed him, and he jokingly said, ‘Oh teri ki, maza aa gaya tujhe toh!’”
Sangwan later had the ball signed by Kohli, making it a treasured keepsake from his career-defining moment.
Life After Dismissing Kohli
The wicket instantly made Sangwan a trending name. His Instagram profile, which was previously private, saw a massive surge in followers, growing from 750 to over 18,000 in just a few days.
“After the match, I came home to 300 missed calls and over 200 messages. I’ve always kept my Instagram private, but after getting so much love, I decided to make it public,” he said.
The crowd at the stadium was another unforgettable experience for the pacer. The overwhelming chants of “Virat, Virat” made the atmosphere feel even bigger than an international match.
“This was the biggest crowd I’ve ever played in front of. It felt larger than an international game because, in internationals, you hear different names like Hardik, Shami, or Bumrah being cheered. But here, it was all about Virat,” he added.
Missing Out on a Face-Off with Rishabh Pant
Sangwan was slightly disappointed that Rishabh Pant didn’t play the match, especially since they had played together in Delhi’s U-19 team.
“I was really looking forward to playing against Rishabh because we haven’t met in years. It would have been great to compete against him,” he said.
Years of Struggle and a Determined Journey
Sangwan’s rise in cricket has been anything but easy. Leaving his home at the age of 13-14, he has spent more than 15 years living in a rented house in Delhi, grinding his way through domestic cricket.
“It was a tough journey, but I have always believed in hard work. My family and the people I lived with have been like my own. They always supported me, even when I had bad performances,” he shared.
Unlike many young cricketers who see the IPL as a shortcut to international cricket, Sangwan remains a firm believer in domestic cricket’s value.
“IPL is a great platform, but I believe playing international cricket isn’t just about IPL. You can make it through the domestic circuit as well. It takes time, but hard work pays off. India has a solid domestic cricket structure,” he stated.
Glenn McGrath’s Early Praise
Long before his First-Class debut, Sangwan had already impressed Australian legend Glenn McGrath. In 2018, during a session at the MRF Pace Academy, McGrath personally complimented Sangwan’s bowling technique.
“I was part of a batch of 25 players. McGrath Sir analyzed our bowling actions and told me I had a perfect action, strong run-up, and good wrist position. He encouraged me to keep working hard,” Sangwan recalled.
A Star in the Making
From struggling in domestic cricket to dismissing one of the world’s greatest batsmen, Sangwan’s journey is an inspiring tale of perseverance. His story serves as a reminder that hard work, self-belief, and determination can take a player from the unnoticed corners of domestic cricket to the biggest headlines in Indian cricket.
