Meet Himanshu Sangwan, Railways Pacer Who Got Virat Kohli Out On His Ranji Trophy Return - In Pics

Virat Kohli made a much-anticipated return to the Ranji Trophy after a 13-year hiatus, representing Delhi against Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Railways attracted national attention largely due to Kohli’s return to domestic cricket. 

The fans gathered in huge numbers at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi to see their local hero, Virat Kohli, bat. However, their joy did not last long. After only 23 minutes and 15 balls in the middle, Kohli was back in the pavilion for 6. This was a disappointing end to Kohli's comeback in the Ranji Trophy.  

On his Ranji Trophy return, Virat Kohli was bowled by Himanshu Sangwan, who delivered a ball that went straight through his defense, sending the off-stump cartwheeling. Just one ball before getting out, Kohli hit a remarkable boundary off Sangwan. However, the pacer had the last laugh.

Himanshu Sangwan is a right-arm medium-fast bowler who represents the Railways cricket team in domestic competitions. According to ESPNcricinfo, Sangwan was born on September 2, 1995 in Najafgarh, Delhi.  

Himanshu Sangwan spent his childhood in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan because of his father's job but he moved to his uncle's place in Najafgarh, Delhi to focus on cricket. 

After playing school and club cricket for four-five years, Sangwan was selected in Delhi's Under-19 team and made his debut in the 2013 Vinoo Mankad Trophy. But after that, he was never selected for Delhi's junior or senior team. Sangwan then decided to play for his home state Haryana but he didn't get a chance in senior cricket.

Sangwan eventually got a job in Indian Railways as a ticket collector through sports quota. In 2018-19, he represented Railways in the Under-23 CK Nayudu Trophy, where he took 37 wickets in seven matches at an average of 18.21. That earned him a place in the senior team for the next season and he has been a key part of Railways' bowling attack since then.

Himanshu Sangwan has played 24 first-class matches so far, taking 81 wickets at an average of 19.61, with his best bowling figures being 6 for 33. In List A cricket, he has taken 21 wickets in 17 matches, and in T20s, he has 5 wickets in 7 matches.

Virat Kohli's dismissal was undoubtedly the biggest wicket of Himanshu Sangwan's career and he celebrated it by punching the air and clenching his teeth.

"Yes, it is definitely the most important wicket of my career. Kohli is an inspiration to cricketers in India," Sangwan told reporters at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

No, Himanshu Sangwan didn't have any special plan for Virat Kohli.

"We did not have any special plan for Kohli. Since all Delhi batters play aggressive cricket, our plan was to bowl in the channel. If you do not give runs to an aggressive batter, he will try a big shot and get out. Perhaps the same happened with him," Sangwan revealed.  

In addition to his cricketing career, Himanshu Sangwan works as a senior ticket collector at the Old Delhi Railway Station. 

"When I was not getting any opportunity, Railways supported me," Sangwan said.

They gave me chances, so my first priority is the Railways team. It is nothing like I had to prove something to Delhi for not giving me a chance," he added.