Virat Kohli meets Himanshu Sangwan after Ranji Trophy dismissal; says this to the Railways pacer
Published - 02 Feb 2025, 12:36 PM | Updated - 02 Feb 2025, 12:38 PM
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Himanshu Sangwan, a right-arm fast bowler from Railways, has been ruling the headlines for clean bowling Virat Kohli during his team’s innings and 19-run win over Delhi in their last group match of the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25 at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium.
Sangwan, who works as a senior ticket collector at New Delhi Railway Station, had delivered a good-length ball, and Kohli, looking to drive it down the ground, moved forward. However, the ball cut in, beating Kohli’s inside edge and sending his off stump flying, as the Indian batting maestro was sent back to the pavilion for just 6 runs off 15 balls in his comeback Ranji clash after 13 years.
How Himanshu Sangwan stunned Virat Kohli with a brilliant delivery in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25?
Before this wonderful delivery, Kohli had perfectly driven a similar delivery, but this time, he couldn’t connect. Earlier in the over, Kunal Yadav had troubled Kohli with two deliveries outside off stump. This time, Kohli charged at Sangwan but ended up losing his wicket against Railways.
The former Indian skipper’s wicket was undoubtedly the biggest moment in Sangwan's career, and he couldn’t contain his excitement, as he celebrated with a punch in the air and a triumphant grin. Meanwhile, Himanshu Sangwan revealed what Virat Kohli said of his delivery after the match.
What a ball it was; it was a beautiful delivery: Virat Kohli to Himanshu Sangwan
After the match, the Railways fast bowler went to Kohli's dressing room with the very ball that had clean bowled him in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 match to get an autograph on it, as reported by Dainik Jagran journalist Lokesh Sharma. Upon seeing the ball, Kohli asked, “Is this the same ball that got me out?”
After Sangwan’s response, Kohli smiled and said, “What a ball it was; it was a beautiful delivery. I really enjoyed that!” Kohli then gave an autograph on the ball. After learning that Himanshu had played for Delhi at the under-19 level, the Indian batting icon praised the bowler by saying, “I’ve heard about you. You’re a good bowler. Best wishes for the future.”
Virat Kohli to Himanshu Sangwan when Sangwan went to Kohli for asking to sign the ball which he took the wicket. [Lokesh Sharma from Dainik Jagran]
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 2, 2025
- "What a ball it was, It was a beautiful delivery". pic.twitter.com/kybBttvZep
Who is Himanshu Sangwan?
Meanwhile, Himanshu Sangwan hails from Charkhi Dadri of Haryana, but he spent his childhood in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, due to his father’s job. The 29-year-old was completely awestruck by Pradeep Sangwan, a fast bowler of the Virat Kohli-led India Under-19 World Cup-winning team in 2008.
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He was the man behind Himanshu’s dream of becoming a fast bowler. To pursue this dream, Sangwan moved to his uncle’s place in Najafgarh, Delhi, where he started coaching. After playing school and club cricket, Himanshu made his debut for Delhi's Under-19 team in the 2013 Vinoo Mankad Trophy but struggled to secure a spot in the senior or junior Delhi teams.
It forced him to move to Haryana and play district and university cricket. Later, Sangwan joined Indian Railways as a ticket collector through the sports quota and starred in the 2018-19 CK Nayudu Trophy, taking 37 wickets. His impressive performances earned him a spot on the senior Railways team, where he became a key bowler.
Sangwan has so far taken more than 75 wickets in 23 matches at an average of 19.92 in first-class cricket. The fast bowler also has 21 wickets in 17 List A matches and 5 scalps in 7 matches in T20 cricket.
