"Beating Virat Kohli more satisfying than Rohit Sharma"- Young Mumbai spinner humiliates

The 21-year-old Mumbai offspinner Himanshu Singh has made a bold claim that he beat both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli during the net sessions ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai.

Himanshu Singh was among the net bowlers during India's preparatory six-day camp in Chennai ahead of their home Test season. The youngster also claimed that beating Virat Kohli was more satisfying for him than Rohit Sharma.

Recently, Himanshu produced a match-winning spell for Mumbai in their Ranji Trophy match against Odisha. He finished with outstanding figures of 3-52 and 4-77 across the two innings of the match and helped Mumbai register an emphatic innings victory.

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"Beating Virat Kohli bhai was more satisfying" - Himanshu Singh

While speaking to the media after Mumbai's win, Himanshu Singh opened up about bowling to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in India's net session ahead of the Chennai Test against Bangladesh.

The youngster claimed that he was able to beat both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the nets but admitted that beating Kohli was more satisfying than beating Rohit. He also spoke to the allrounder Ravindra Jadeja about his preparations before a match.

"I bowled at them (Rohit and Kohli) and beat both of them, but beating Virat bhai was more satisfying. I spoke with (Ravindra) Jadeja about his preparations etc," Himanshu said to the media.

“I had gone there (Chennai) first, (playing in the) Ranji (Trophy) happened for me later. I got a lot of confidence after bowling there against big players. The confidence is now reflecting here and I am happy about it," he credited his net experience in giving him the confidence for the Ranji Trophy.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are going through one of the toughest phases in their careers so far. The star duo failed miserably in India's home Test season. Both will be under pressure to perform in the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia.

Himanshu Singh reveals his idols

When asked about his idols, Himanshu responded that he has learned offspin bowling from Ravichandran Ashwin and Nathan Lyon. The 21-year-old is also aware of the fact that he still has a long way to go and is primarily focused on learning things currently.

“I only follow two bowlers all over the world, Nathan Lyon and Ravichandran Ashwin. Whatever I have learned in terms of off-spin bowling in white and red-ball cricket, has been from watching them bowl," Himanshu mentioned.

“It was only my third match. I have a long way to go. I cannot say I am settled but it has been all about learning," he added.

Two top spinners in Test cricket

Both Ravichandran Ashwin and Nathan Lyon are among the two top spin bowlers in Test cricket right now. The careers of both the legends have gone simultaneously with both giving each other a tough fight in terms of records.

Despite both of them being offspinners, Lyon and Ashwin possess different abilities and skills but are equally successful. Both will be up against each other in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.