Virat Kohli’s return to the Ranji Trophy after more than 12 years created a massive buzz, drawing an enthusiastic crowd to the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Fans had gathered in large numbers, hoping to witness a vintage Kohli knock, but the star batter’s stay at the crease was cut short as he was dismissed for just six runs off 15 balls. Railways' fast bowler Himanshu Sangwan produced a dream delivery that shattered Kohli’s stumps, sending shockwaves through the stadium and giving the young pacer the biggest wicket of his career.
Despite the disappointment of his early dismissal, Kohli showed great sportsmanship and appreciation for Sangwan’s efforts. After the match, in a heartfelt gesture, the former India captain signed the match ball for the Railways pacer, acknowledging the quality of his bowling. Sangwan later took to Instagram to share a video of Kohli signing the ball, expressing his gratitude for the special moment.
Recounting the interaction, Sangwan revealed Kohli’s words of encouragement. "When I gave him the ball to sign it, he asked, ‘Is this the same ball from which you got me out? Kya gend tha yaar, maza aa gaya (what a beautiful delivery it was). Kaafi teekhe bowler ho (you are a sharp bowler). Keep working hard. Best wishes for your future,’” Sangwan told The Indian Express.
For Sangwan, dismissing Kohli was a career-defining moment. Speaking about the experience, he said, "It is the most important wicket of my life. It goes without saying. Virat Kohli is an inspiration to the whole country. First time in life I saw so many people turning up for a Ranji Trophy game. It was special for all of us."
The young fast bowler had an impressive outing, finishing with figures of 4/55 in the match. However, his efforts couldn’t prevent Delhi from securing a dominant victory. Delhi won the match by an innings and 19 runs, but for Sangwan, the memory of dismissing one of the greatest batters in modern cricket and receiving words of encouragement from him would remain unforgettable.
