Meet Himanshu Sangwan, player who spoiled Virat Kohli's comeback in Ranji Trophy

In the 2023 World Cup final, Pat Cummins silenced the jam-packed crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium by dismissing Virat Kohli. While not exactly the same, something similar happened at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, where Kohli was dismissed by an incoming delivery from Himanshu Sangwan on day 2 of the ongoing match between Delhi and Railways, leaving the ground in pin-drop silence.

Kohli's much-awaited first innings for his domestic team after more than 12 years was cut short after just 15 deliveries. Sangwan found the gap between bat and pad, sending the stumps flying in what became a memorable moment for the Railways pacer. However, for the fans who had gathered to witness Kohli's return, the dismissal left them dejected, as Sangwan dampened the excitement surrounding the former Indian captain’s comeback.

Kohli had dispatched a boundary off Sangwan’s third ball in the 28th over of Delhi’s first innings, sending the crowd into a frenzy. However, on the very next delivery, the 29-year-old pacer struck back, dismissing Kohli with a well-executed ball. Sangwan, bowling just wide of the crease, delivered an in-seaming delivery that Kohli attempted to drive but missed, playing all around it. As the stumps were sent flying, Sangwan let out a roar of celebration, animatedly reveling in his moment.

Before this match, Sangwan had taken 77 wickets in 23 First-Class games, but none would match the satisfaction of claiming his 78th wicket—Kohli’s. For the young pacer, this will be a memory of a lifetime, especially given the manner in which he achieved it. No Australian bowler had been able to dislodge Kohli’s stumps, even when he was out of form during India’s last Test series, but Sangwan managed to do what others could not.