Who is Himanshu Sangwan? All about the Railways pacer who dismissed Virat Kohli in the Ranji Trophy

The much-anticipated clash between Delhi and Railways during the seventh round of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 garnered significant attention, mainly due to the return of Virat Kohli to the tournament after a long absence of twelve years. Kohli’s comeback was met with much excitement, but his return wasn’t as smooth as many hoped. In the first innings on Day 2, the star batter was dismissed cheaply, much to the disappointment of his fans. The man responsible for Kohli's downfall was none other than Himanshu Sangwan, a right-arm pacer from Railways. Sangwan had been on the receiving end of a solid straight drive from Kohli earlier in the over, when the Delhi batter played an authoritative shot that seemed to signal the beginning of a promising innings.

All about Himanshu Sangwan who spoiled Virat Kohli's Ranji Trophy return

Fans were hopeful that Kohli was well and truly back in his element, but the very next delivery changed everything. Sangwan responded with a perfect delivery, a gem that completely breached Kohli's defence. The ball zipped through and shattered the stumps, sending Kohli back to the pavilion for a rare early dismissal. Himanshu Sangwan, born in 1995 in Najafgarh, Delhi, hails from the same locality that produced cricketing legend Virender Sehwag. While Sehwag made a name for himself as one of India's greatest batters, Sangwan's journey has taken a different path as a promising right-arm pacer.

Sangwan’s early cricketing years saw him represent Delhi in age-group cricket, including Under-19 competitions. His talent as a bowler was evident from a young age, and it was no surprise when he made a mark in domestic cricket. However, his First-Class career took an unexpected turn when he made the switch to Railways, a decision that has proven pivotal in his career. Railways offered him a platform to showcase his skills consistently, and over the years, he has developed into a key player for the side.

His performances, including his memorable dismissal of Virat Kohli in the Ranji Trophy, have earned him attention from cricketing circles. Sangwan’s shift to Railways has been crucial in his development, and the pacer seems to have found his place with the team, where he continues to impress with his raw pace and skillful bowling. His journey from Delhi's youth cricket to First-Class prominence reflects his determination and potential.

Harish Sangwan Knocked Out Virat King Kohli , At The Score of 6 (Full Crowd Reaction + Celebration) #ViratKohli𓃵 | #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/QBHLRfsLKb

— 𝐒𝐑𝐈𝐉𝐀𝐍 🇮🇹 (@LegendDhonii) January 31, 2025

Himanshu Sangwan, at 29, has established himself as a formidable pacer in domestic cricket, particularly in the longer format. With 23 First-Class matches under his belt, the right-arm bowler has racked up an impressive 77 wickets at a remarkable average of 19.92. His ability to make breakthroughs consistently is reflected in his six four-wicket hauls and three five-wicket performances. Sangwan's best bowling figures stand at an outstanding 7 for 81, showcasing his skill to dominate in critical situations.

Despite his excellent record in First-Class cricket, Sangwan’s white-ball performances have been somewhat underwhelming. In 17 List A matches, he has claimed 21 wickets, but his numbers are not as striking in the T20 format. In seven T20 matches, he has managed to pick up only five wickets. His best white-ball performance came in a List A game, where he took 4 wickets for 44 runs, demonstrating his potential in the shorter formats.

Sangwan’s primary strength lies in his red-ball cricket performances, where he consistently impresses with his pace and control. Though his white-ball numbers haven't matched his First-Class success, his continued efforts with Railways indicate that he could yet find a way to translate that success to the shorter formats. His potential remains undeniable, especially as he continues to develop his skills.

Himanshu Sangwan stats in domestic cricket