Virat Kohli’s highly anticipated return to domestic cricket concluded in disappointment as he was dismissed for a mere six runs in his first Ranji Trophy match in over a decade. The former captain of India took to the field for Delhi against Railways in their final group-stage encounter, only to be bowled by pacer Himanshu Sangwan after having struck a boundary on the preceding delivery.
Sangwan’s expertly directed inswinger dismantled Kohli’s off-stump, propelling him to overnight fame within the domestic circuit. While some fans lauded the Railways bowler for his exceptional performance, others, particularly Kohli’s supporters, reacted differently, targeting Sangwan on social media.
However, they mistakenly directed their ire at the wrong Himanshu Sangwan.
Sangwan’s strategic off-field decision spared him from the backlash of Kohli’s fans. Reports indicated that the 29-year-old bowler from Najafgarh had made his Instagram profile private a day prior to the match, likely anticipating potential online hostility. Consequently, other social media users sharing the same name found themselves unjustly targeted by Kohli’s frustrated supporters, prompting some to clarify their lack of involvement in the incident.
Sangwan, for his part, clarified that his Instagram account has always been private. “I have always kept my Instagram account as private. It is not the case that I made my account private just before the match against Delhi,” he stated after the conclusion of Day 2 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
While passionate outbursts from Kohli’s supporters on social media are not uncommon, this incident underscores the tendency to misdirect blame. Meanwhile, Sangwan, the true architect of Kohli’s dismissal, is relishing his newfound recognition as he seeks to establish himself in Indian domestic cricket.
Following Kohli’s dismissal, Sangwan was observed celebrating exuberantly, with footage of his celebration quickly going viral across social media platforms.
