Himanshu Sangwan, a pacer for Railways, has captured the spotlight following his impressive dismissal of cricket superstar Virat Kohli during a Ranji Trophy match at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. Kohli, making his much-anticipated return to domestic cricket after 12 years, was dismissed for just six runs, leaving fans stunned.
Virat Kohli’s dismissal
Sangwan’s moment of glory came when he bowled a brilliant inswinger that clean-bowled Kohli, sending his off-stump cartwheeling. The delivery was unexpected, as many believed the strategy against Kohli would involve targeting the outside off-stump line, exploiting his known weaknesses. Instead, Sangwan followed advice he received from an unlikely source – the team bus driver.
“Before the match, there were talks about Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant going to play for Delhi. At the time, we didn’t know that the match would be aired live. We slowly learned that Rishabh Pant wouldn’t play, but Virat would, and the match would be streamed live. I am leading the Railways’ pace attack. Every team member told me that they thought I would dismiss Virat Kohli,” Sangwan was quoted as saying to The Hindustan Times.
“The bus in which we were travelling, even the bus driver told me that you know that you need to bowl at the fourth-fifth stump line to Virat Kohli, and then he will get out. I had self-belief. I just wanted to focus on my own strengths rather than someone else’s weaknesses. I bowled to my strengths and ended up getting the wicket,” he added.
Despite the pressure of facing one of cricket’s greatest batsmen, Sangwan focused on his strengths and executed his plan successfully.
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Impact on Himanshu Sangwan’s career
The match saw Delhi defeat Railways by an innings and 19 runs, but Sangwan’s achievement overshadowed the result. His dismissal of Kohli not only marked a significant moment in his career but also drew attention from cricket fans and analysts. After Kohli’s brief innings, which lasted just 15 balls, a hush fell over the stadium as he walked back to the pavilion, a stark contrast to the cheers that greeted his arrival.
Following the match, Sangwan approached Kohli in the dressing room to request an autograph on the ball he used for the dismissal. Kohli responded positively, complimenting Sangwan’s delivery: “What a ball it was; it was a beautiful delivery. I really enjoyed that!” This interaction highlighted Kohli’s sportsmanship and respect for fellow players.
Sangwan’s performance has significantly raised his profile in Indian cricket. He expressed how this experience has changed his life and how he is now being recognized for his talent on a larger scale. “After this match, my life has changed,” he stated, reflecting on the newfound attention he has received since dismissing such a high-profile player.