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Himanshu Sangwan’s Masterstroke: The Plan That Dismissed Virat Kohli In Ranji Trophy Clash
By CricShots - Feb 1, 2025 12:27 pm
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In the heart of Delhi, where cricketing legends have been made, thousands of fans gathered at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, hoping to witness a spectacle. The reason? Virat Kohli. After 12 years away from the domestic circuit, Kohli’s return for Delhi against Railways in the Ranji Trophy had turned an otherwise routine match into an unforgettable occasion. Fans thronged in from every corner of the national capital region eager to see their hero bat. But by the end of the day, another name had etched itself into their memories—Himanshu Sangwan.

Himanshu Sangwan
Himanshu Sangwan dismissed Virat Kohli

The anticipation was electric when Virat Kohli walked out to bat. The crowd erupted as if a long-lost king had returned to his kingdom. But just 21 minutes later, the unthinkable happened. Right after elegantly driving Himanshu Sangwan for a boundary, Kohli’s off-stump was sent cartwheeling. Silence engulfed the stadium as stunned fans began making their way towards the exits, their excitement crushed.

For Sangwan, it was one of those momentous occasions of a lifetime. Speaking to the media after play, the right-arm pacer humbly explained that his approach was as simple as any: hit the right areas and let the ball do the rest.

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 “We didn’t have any special plans for Kohli,” he admitted. “Our strategy was straightforward. Delhi’s batters are aggressive by nature; they go for their shots. We believed that if we stayed consistent with our line and length, they would take risks and eventually get themselves out.”

It was not just a wicket for 28-year-old Railways pacer Himanshu Sangwan. Working his way through the Under-19 level with Rishabh Pant in 2013, Sangwan failed to get much of a look in Delhi. Chased away from his own backyard, he went back to his hometown in Haryana’s Charkhi-Dadri and reset the foundation of district-level cricket. He eventually found his base at Railways, where he had started to gain momentum in domestic cricket with his debut for the seniors in 2019.

 

When asked whether his performance was a statement against Delhi, Himanshu Sangwan was quick to clarify. “Railways gave me the opportunity when I wasn’t getting chances elsewhere. My loyalty lies with them. I have nothing to prove to Delhi.”

It was a career-defining moment when Virat Kohli got dismissed, and Himanshu Sangwan’s reaction was almost pure emotion in the sense that he roared, punched the air, and exchanged high-fives with his teammates. As later explained though, it was not a planned celebration.

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“That’s how I celebrate every wicket,” he said. “I didn’t do anything different just because it was Kohli. We weren’t focused on taking his wicket in particular; our only goal was to stick to basics and execute our plans.”

What Himanshu Sangwan didn’t anticipate, however, was the reaction from the stands. The sight of Virat Kohli’s off-stump tumbling sent shockwaves through the crowd, turning their cheers into stunned silence. As they began leaving the stadium in disappointment, Sangwan soaked in the moment.

Himanshu Sangwan
Himanshu Sangwan dismissed Virat Kohli

“This wasn’t just my special match,” he reflected. “This was a historic Ranji Trophy game. I’ve never seen a domestic match with such a massive crowd. It was a privilege to play in front of them.”

Meanwhile, Delhi came back into the game with a brilliant 99 from Ayush Badoni and a gritty effort from Sumit Mathur, helping them secure a crucial 93-run lead. Despite returning figures of 2 for 46 in 20 overs, Sangwan remained optimistic about Railways’ chances.

“This is how first-class cricket goes,” he said. “Momentum shifts constantly. We’re not out of the game yet—there are still two days left, and we’ve bowled well. Anything can happen.”

For Himanshu Sangwan, this wasn’t just another Ranji Trophy match—it was a day that changed his career forever.