 "Himanshu Sangwan was the pick of the Railways bowlers in their Ranji Trophy match against Delhi at the Arun Jaitley Stadium with figures of 4/55. Image credit: Screengrab of videop posted on X by ANI")
Railways seamer Himanshu Sangwan described dismissing Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli in the Ranji Trophy as “the most important wicket of my life” while describing the former India captain as an “inspiration to the whole country”.
Sangwan added that the Delhi vs Railways match at New Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium was indeed special for everyone involved as he had never seen such a huge crowd turn up for a domestic game, even if it is in the Ranji Trophy – India’s premier First-Class competition.
Sangwan grabbed headlines after castling the out-of-form Kohli , who made his first appearance in a domestic match after more than 12 years, for 6 on Friday, sending his off-stump on a cartwheel. The 29-year-old pacer who originally hails from Delhi was pumped up after getting rid of one of the greatest Indian batters of all time with an in-swinging delivery, and celebrated the wicket wildly.
“It is the most important wicket of my life. It goes without saying. Virat Kohli is an inspiration to the whole country,” Sangwan had said on Friday after stumps on Day 2.
“First time in life I saw so many people turning up for a Ranji Trophy game. It was special for all of us,” he added.
The animated celebrations, though, drew the ire of some of Kohli’s fans, who ended up targeting other social media users also named Himanshu Sangwan with the Railways bowler having kept his Instagram account on ‘Private’ mode.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAlso Read | Virat Kohli fans slammed after targeting Himanshu Sangwan: ‘Clown behaviour’
Kohli’s early dismissal, though, was a mere blip in what was otherwise a dominant performance by Delhi in what would prove to be their final game of the 2024-25 Ranji season. Thanks to half-centuries from skipper Ayush Badoni (99) and Sumit Mathur (86), Delhi posted 374 after bowling Railways out for 241, collecting a healthy first innings lead.
Off-spinner Shivam Sharma would then collect 5/33 in the second innings as Delhi bowled Railways out for a paltry 114 on Day 3 to sign off with an innings and 19-run win, finishing third in Group D behind Saurashtra and Tamil Nadu.
Mathur, who had won the Player of the Match award for his figures of 3/20 on the opening day besides nearly scoring a century, said he would remember rubbing shoulders with Kohli for the rest of his life.
“I will remember this time for the rest of my life. He has mingled with us nicely and it is a different experience to play alongside him. As long as I play the game I will remember this moment,” the 27-year-old said.