Railways’ Himanshu Sangwan brought an end to the superstar’s quick 15-ball innings on Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy match.
New Delhi: The anticipation had been building for hours, with fans lining up for days in eager expectation. This was the moment the Arun Jaitley Stadium had been waiting for. As Yash Dhull fell to Rahul Sharma, a buzz of excitement filled the air—Virat Kohli, donning his Ranji whites once again for Delhi, strode to the crease with his signature, confident swagger.

Railways’ Himanshu Sangwan erupted in celebration after dismissing Delhi’s Virat Kohli at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday. (PTI)
Kohli’s stay at the crease was short-lived, lasting just 15 deliveries. During this time, Railways pacer Kunal Yadav kept him under pressure, persistently targeting the off-stump channel. Twice, Yadav managed to beat Kohli’s bat, skillfully landing the ball around the sixth-stump line.
Kohli offered a glimpse of his brilliance with a crisp straight drive off Himanshu Sangwan, sending the ball racing to the boundary and igniting the crowd. But cricket can be unforgiving—just one ball can change everything. And when that moment arrived, the deafening cheers gave way to stunned silence.
The fairytale return wasn’t meant to be—not on this day. There was no grand script, no triumphant comeback. Just a sudden, decisive end.
Unlike in Mumbai, where Umar Nazir dismissed Rohit Sharma without much celebration, the atmosphere in Delhi unfolded differently. Sangwan roared in triumph, his wrists shaking with excitement. This was no ordinary wicket—it was Virat Kohli. A senior ticket collector stationed at the Old Delhi Railway station, Sangwan had just etched his name into the match’s defining moment.
The delivery was full of intent, angling in sharply and crashing into off-stump. It was a dismissal that silenced a hopeful crowd and reaffirmed a pre-match plan executed to perfection. Later, at stumps, Sangwan reflected on their strategy—targeting this very length, as discussed in the team’s bowling meeting. The directive was clear: stay disciplined, block out the noise, and trust the process, regardless of the pressure or the opponent.
“It was indeed the most important wicket of my life,” said Sangwan who made his under-19 debut alongside Rishabh Pant in 2013-14. “Virat Kohli is an inspiration for all of us.”
“Delhi batters are very good white-ball cricketers, so we know they are aggressive. Our plan was to stick to bowling in a specific channel. If we don’t allow aggressive batters to go for shots, it will frustrate them,” said d Sangwan.
Badoni Leads from the Front
After Delhi found themselves at 82/2 in 27 overs, skipper Ayush Badoni led the recovery with a commanding performance.
The 25-year-old has been in stellar form, amassing 499 runs in just seven innings at an impressive average of 83.16, including an unbeaten 205 against Jharkhand. He also contributed crucial knocks of 60 and 44 in the previous match against Saurashtra.
Despite the heightened buzz around Virat Kohli’s presence, Badoni remained unfazed, attributing his composure to prior experience in the IPL.
However, on a day marked by missed centuries in the Ranji Trophy, he too fell agonizingly short. After a blistering 77-ball 99, his innings was cut short by Karn Sharma, denying him a well-deserved century.
‘Experience of a Lifetime’
Delhi’s other standout performer was all-rounder Sumit Mathur, who remained unbeaten at 78 off 189 balls, carrying the team’s hopes into the next day.
Unlike Ayush Badoni, Mathur hasn’t had much exposure to packed stadiums or high-pressure games. But the electrifying atmosphere and the opportunity to share the field with Virat Kohli have been nothing short of inspiring. His first encounter with the cricketing icon, combined with the historic crowd turnout, has only fueled his determination to make this match an unforgettable chapter in his career.
“It’s an experience of a lifetime,” said Mathur. “I am going to remember this until the day I continue to play cricket.”
Mathur played a crucial role in stabilizing Delhi’s innings, forging a vital 133-run partnership with Ayush Badoni. After Badoni’s departure, he continued to anchor the innings, building steady stands with Pranav Rajvanshi (39), Shivam Sharma (14), and an ongoing partnership with Siddhanth Sharma (15*). His resilience at the crease has kept Delhi in the contest, setting the stage for an intriguing battle on the next day.
“Our plan was to build a big partnership so that we can take the lead,” said Mathur. “With Badoni playing aggressively, I could take my time and that’s why I played my natural game.”
At the close of play on Day 2, Delhi stood at 334/7, holding a 93-run lead. Despite the challenging contest, all-rounder Sumit Mathur remained optimistic about their chances, stating that the team was still pushing for victory.
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