Himanshu Sangwan and Virat Kohli. | (Credits: X)
Railways’ right-arm pace bowler Himanshu Sangwan has risen to the spotlight after spoiling Team India star batter Virat Kohli’s storied return to the Ranji Trophy. The 29-year-old sent the right-handed batter’s off-stump for a walk with a cracking delivery and broke into wild celebrations, triggering silence among the fans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
The 36-year-old drew massive crowds on day one of the Ranji Trophy fixture between Delhi and the Railways, given his return to the first-class competition after a decade. Fans were waiting outside the stadium since 3:00 am to watch the batting maestro in action. However, all Kohli managed was six runs by hitting a boundary before Sangwan made the right-hander’s off-stump take a walk.
Sangwan, meanwhile, was born in Najafgarh and made his maiden first-class appearance in December 2019. The right-arm medium-fast bowler notably worked as a ticket collector in the Delhi Railway station before his cricketing career got established. He was one of the pacers at the MRF pace foundation and trained by former Australian legend Glenn McGrath, who stressed on getting the fundamentals right.
Ayush Badoni plays counterattacking knock after Railways’ early strikes
Delhi cricket team resumed day two at 41/1 after bowling the Railways out for 241 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Rahul Sharma gave their side the first breakthrough of the day by dismissing Yash Dhull for 32, who hit seven boundaries in his 69-ball stay.
After dismissing Kohli, Sangwan dismissed Sanat Sangwan for 30 off 81 balls. However, Delhi captain Ayush Badoni was still at the crease unbeaten on 52 off 36 balls alongside Sumit Mathur, who was not out on 28 when Delhi got to 168/4 at lunch.
