In a surprising turn of events following Virat Kohli’s much-anticipated return to domestic cricket, fans have mistakenly targeted the wrong individual on social media after his dismissal in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy match against Railways. Kohli was clean bowled for just 6 runs by Himanshu Sangwan, prompting a wild celebration from the bowler that caught the attention of Kohli’s passionate fanbase.
Himanshu Sangwan cleans up Virat Kohli
During the match being played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, Kohli’s innings ended abruptly when he misjudged an inswinging delivery from Sangwan, resulting in his off-stump being uprooted. This dismissal marked a disappointing return for the Indian cricket star, who had not played in the Ranji Trophy for over a decade. The crowd’s excitement quickly turned to silence as Kohli departed after playing just 15 balls.
Sangwan’s exuberant celebration of Kohli’s wicket was seen as a significant achievement, especially given the stature of the Indian cricketer. However, this celebration inadvertently led to a case of mistaken identity, as another individual named Himanshu Sangwan faced a barrage of abuse online from irate fans.
Also WATCH: Himanshu Sangwan’s pumped up celebration after getting Virat Kohli’s wicket goes viral
Wrong Sangwan faces the anger of fans
The wrong Himanshu Sangwan, who is not connected to cricket, took to social media to clarify that he was not the bowler responsible for Kohli’s dismissal. He posted an Instagram story stating, “I am not the cricketer Himanshu Sangwan whom people are mistaking me for.” This incident highlights the intense emotions surrounding cricket and how quickly fans can react in the heat of the moment.
Former cricketer Pradeep Sangwan, who is also unrelated to the incident but shares a similar surname, experienced similar backlash with derogatory comments flooding his posts.
Koi aur Himanshu Sangwan gaali kha raha hai 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/xSh4qPTQRD
— Abhishek ✨ (@ImAbhishek7_) January 31, 2025
Every Himanshu Sangwan's Instagram Id is filled with comments 😭🙏🏻
They must be imagining why all of sudden all those abuses 🤣🤣🤣
— Riseup Pant (@riseup_pant17) January 31, 2025
Virat Kohli's fans are abusing someone else, Himanshu Sangwan. Virat himself doesn't know how to perform and people abuse the bowlers. Poor bowler and this guy. pic.twitter.com/Q5AlxwaMKA
— Aufridi Chumtya (@ShuhidAufridi) January 31, 2025
The incident has sparked discussions about fans’ behaviour on social media, particularly how quickly they can lash out without verifying facts.
As cricket enthusiasts continue to process Kohli’s disappointing performance and its implications for his form moving forward, this incident serves as a reminder of the passionate nature of cricket fandom and the importance of responsible social media use.
With Kohli’s future performances under scrutiny, fans will be watching closely as he aims to bounce back in the second innings of the match while hoping for more understanding and less vitriol directed at individuals who share names with public figures.
