Virat Kohli’s return to the Ranji Trophy was cut short on day two of the league-stage match between Delhi and Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. In front of a raucous home crowd, Kohli walked out to the crease amidst thunderous applause, but his stay at the wicket was brief. On just the 15th delivery he faced, the star batter was sent packing by Railways seamer Himanshu Sangwan.
A disastrous return for Virat Kohli in the Ranji Trophy for Delhi
Kohli, known for his dominant batting, was off to a cautious start. Facing an incoming delivery from Sangwan, which pitched slightly fuller on good length, Kohli looked to make an attacking move. However, in an uncharacteristic fashion, he attempted a swipe across the line. The delivery, keeping a fraction low, passed the blade of Kohli’s bat and struck the off-stump, leaving the crowd stunned. Sangwan, on the other hand, erupted in celebration, marking a memorable moment in his career.
The dismissal of one of India’s finest batsmen was a moment of triumph for Himanshu. The fast bowler celebrated fiercely, his emotions reflecting the magnitude of the wicket. Kohli’s wicket was a significant achievement for Sangwan, who had already been showing promising form in domestic cricket. This dismissal served as a reminder of Sangwan’s growing potential as a fast bowler in Indian domestic cricket.
Lesser known facts about Railway’s fast bowler Himanshu Sangwan
1. Early life and background
Sangwan was born on September 2, 1995, in Delhi, India, and grew up in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district. His journey to becoming a professional cricketer started in his hometown, where his fascination with fast bowling began. He was inspired by players such as Pradeep Sangwan, a left-arm pacer from Delhi, who made an impression on him with his aggressive approach to fast bowling in the U19 World Cup 2008 that India won under the leadership of Kohli.
Sangwan’s early years were marked by a passion for the sport, and with encouragement from his parents – his father Surendra Singh Sangwan, a bank manager, and his mother Bhagwan Rati, a teacher – he decided to pursue his dream of playing cricket at a professional level.
2. Struggles and setbacks in Delhi
Despite his early promise as a fast bowler, Sangwan’s path to first-class cricket was anything but smooth. He initially represented Delhi at the U-19 level, playing alongside future international star Rishabh Pant in the 2014-15 season. However, despite his efforts, Sangwan failed to progress system. He faced constant setbacks in his attempts to break into Delhi’s senior team, which left him disillusioned for a time. His dream of playing for his home team seemed distant, forcing him to seek new opportunities elsewhere.
Also WATCH: Himanshu Sangwan’s pumped up celebration after getting Virat Kohli’s wicket goes viral
3. Shift to Haryana and the cricketing wilderness
After his unsuccessful stint with Delhi, Sangwan moved to Haryana in search of better opportunities in 2015. However, even here, he found it difficult to break into the first-class cricket scene. His struggles deepened as he faced more disappointments. His time in Haryana saw him grapple with self-doubt and a lack of proper recognition, eventually leading him into a period of cricketing wilderness. For nearly two years, Sangwan continued to train on his own, with no clear pathway forward in his cricketing career, leaving him questioning whether he would ever make it.
4. Turning point: Job with Indian railways
In a bid to support his cricketing aspirations, Sangwan took up a job as a ticket examiner with the Indian Railways. This job, which he secured in 2016, provided him with much-needed stability, both financially and mentally. It allowed him to focus on cricket while ensuring a steady income. He was stationed at New Delhi station, which gave him the chance to continue his training and pursue his passion. The job proved to be a pivotal turning point in Sangwan’s life, providing him with the time and resources to rediscover his love for the game and take his cricketing career more seriously.
5. Rise through the Railways U-23 team
Sangwan’s fortunes began to change when he represented the Indian Railways U-23 team in the CK Nayudu Trophy 2018. His performances were nothing short of impressive as he finished the season with 37 wickets from seven matches, which earned him significant recognition. His standout performances earned him a place in the Indian Railways senior team for the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy season, marking his debut at the highest level of domestic cricket. His rise through the Railways system was a testament to his determination and ability to thrive despite earlier setbacks.
6. Success in Ranji Trophy and other domestic formats
Sangwan’s Ranji debut came in December 2019, where he was immediately noticed for his pace and aggressive style of bowling. His early performances were marked by wicket-taking ability, as he quickly established himself as one of the key bowlers for Railways. In just 23 first-class matches, he has claimed 77 wickets at an impressive average of 19.92, showcasing his consistency and ability to deliver match-winning performances. His economy rate of 3.02 further highlights his control and effectiveness in tight situations.
In addition to his success in first-class cricket, Sangwan has also proven his worth in other formats. He made his List A debut for Railways in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2019-20 and went on to play in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, making his T20 debut in the same year. These performances in multiple formats helped solidify his reputation as a versatile and reliable bowler.
7. Inspiration from MS Dhoni and the MRF Pace Foundation
Throughout his journey, Sangwan has drawn inspiration from numerous sources, most notably MS Dhoni’s story of rising from humble beginnings to international glory. Dhoni’s rise from being a ticket collector with the Railways to becoming one of the most successful captains in Indian cricket has been a significant influence on Sangwan.
He frequently cites Dhoni’s story as a reminder that anyone, even someone with a simple background like his own, can make it big in cricket. Sangwan also credits the guidance he received at the MRF Pace Foundation, especially from legendary Australian pacer Glenn McGrath, as a turning point in his career. The experience of being mentored by McGrath helped him fine-tune his fast bowling skills, leading to greater success.
Also WATCH: Crowd erupts in ‘Kohli…Kohli…’ chants as Virat Kohli makes his Ranji Trophy return for Delhi at Arun Jaitley Stadium
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