A case of mistaken identity has emerged after Virat Kohli’s unexpected dismissal in a recent Ranji Trophy match, leading to a barrage of angry messages directed at the wrong Himanshu Sangwan on Instagram. Kohli, playing his first Ranji game in 13 years, was bowled out for just six runs by Himanshu Sangwan, a former Delhi cricketer now representing Railways.
Thousands of Kohli supporters had flocked to the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, anticipating a stellar performance from the star batter. Their excitement quickly turned to disappointment as Kohli’s innings lasted only 15 balls before Sangwan sent him back to the pavilion.
In the aftermath of the dismissal, legions of disappointed fans took to social media, particularly Instagram, to express their frustration. An Instagram account under the name “Himanshu Sangwan” was flooded with abusive comments, as users mistakenly believed it belonged to the bowler.
The actual owner of the account, completely unrelated to the cricketer, was quick to address the confusion. He posted a story on Instagram stating, “Brothers, I am not cricket’s Himanshu Sangwan like people are thinking me to be.”
He further clarified the situation with a video post, explaining, “Since morning, Virat Kohli fans have been trolling me, commenting and sending me wrong messages. I am not the cricketer Himanshu Sangwan. I am just a regular middle-class person named Himanshu Sangwan. Please spread the word.”
Clarification by wrong Himanshu Sangwan- https://t.co/Fr6qdU7vCw pic.twitter.com/6XPwzeTfyn
— Priyansh (@bhhupendrajogi) January 31, 2025
Meanwhile, the cricketer Himanshu Sangwan, who dismissed Kohli, maintained a low social media profile. His private account, which restricts comments from non-followers, shielded him from the online backlash.
This incident underscores the rapid and often misdirected nature of social media reactions, especially when it involves prominent figures like Virat Kohli. It serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying information before reacting and the potential consequences of mistaken identity in the digital age.
