On January 31, 2025, Himanshu Sangwan, a 29-year-old fast bowler for the Railways cricket team, made headlines by dismissing cricket superstar Virat Kohli during his much-anticipated return to the Ranji Trophy.
Kohli, playing for Delhi after a long hiatus of over a decade from the tournament, was bowled out for just 6 runs, leaving fans and spectators stunned at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Early Life and Background
Born on September 2, 1995, in Najafgarh, Delhi, Sangwan’s journey to professional cricket has been anything but conventional. Before pursuing a career in cricket, he worked as a ticket collector at the New Delhi Railway Station.
This job not only provided him with financial stability but also allowed him to continue training and honing his skills as a fast bowler.
Sangwan’s passion for cricket was evident from a young age. He began playing at the age of 13 and represented Delhi at various age-group levels.
His early inspiration came from watching fast bowlers like Pradeep Sangwan, who made an impression during India’s victorious U19 World Cup campaign in 2008.
Cricketing Career
Himanshu Sangwan made his debut in List A cricket during the Vijay Hazare Trophy in September 2019.
He followed this up with his T20 debut in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy later that year. His first-class debut came in December 2019 when he played for Railways in the Ranji Trophy.
Sangwan has quickly established himself as a formidable bowler in domestic cricket. Over his first-class career spanning 23 matches, he has taken 77 wickets at an impressive average of 19.92 and an economy rate of 3.02.
His best bowling figures are 7 for 81, showcasing his ability to dismantle even the strongest batting line-ups.
Notably, Sangwan made headlines in 2019 when he took six wickets against Mumbai, including dismissals of renowned players like Ajinkya Rahane and Prithvi Shaw, earning him the reputation of a “giant slayer.”
The Memorable Dismissal of Virat Kohli
Sangwan’s moment of glory came during the ongoing Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Railways.
After Railways posted a total of 241 runs, Kohli walked onto the field to thunderous applause from fans eager to see him play for Delhi after more than a decade.
However, Kohli’s innings was short-lived; he faced just 15 balls before being clean bowled by Sangwan, whose delivery uprooted Kohli’s off-stump.
This dismissal not only marked a significant achievement for Sangwan but also drew mixed reactions from fans on social media.
While many celebrated Sangwan’s accomplishment, Kohli’s supporters expressed their disappointment over his early exit.
