Image: Himanshu Sangwan received advice on dismissing Kohli from the team's bus driver / © NDTV Sports
In the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy, Railways pacer Himanshu Sangwan made headlines after dismissing Virat Kohli during Delhi’s match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Kohli, returning to the Ranji Trophy after 12 years, was bowled for just 6 runs by an inswinging delivery from Sangwan that shattered his off-stump. This moment not only boosted Sangwan’s reputation but also sparked widespread discussion among fans and experts.
Sangwan later revealed in an interview that even the bus driver had advised him to bowl on the fourth-fifth stump line to trouble Kohli. The Railways team had already placed high expectations on him, and he lived up to them by delivering one of the tournament’s standout dismissals. Despite the setback, Kohli showed his sportsmanship by shaking hands with Sangwan and praising his bowling. The young pacer even got the match ball signed by Kohli, who humorously acknowledged the moment.
Before the match, there were talks about Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant going to play for Delhi.
At the time, we didn’t know that the match would be aired live. We slowly learned that Rishabh Pant wouldn’t play, but Virat would, and the match would be streamed live. I am leading the Railways’ pace attack. Every team member told me that they thought I would dismiss Virat Kohli. The bus in which we were traveling, even the bus driver told me that you know that you need to bowl at the fourth-fifth stump line to Virat Kohli, and then he will get out. I had self-belief. I just wanted to focus on my strengths rather than someone else’s weaknesses. I bowled to my strengths and ended up getting the wicket.
This dismissal became a major talking point, highlighting Sangwan’s rise in domestic cricket. It also underscored Kohli’s struggle to make an impact in the game, as Delhi fell short in the match. The incident has now become one of the most talked-about moments in this year’s Ranji Trophy.