Mumbai off-spinner Himanshu Singh stated that his confidence grew significantly after bowling to cricket legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma during India’s net sessions in Chennai. The 21-year-old recalled dismissing both batsmen but noted that getting Kohli out was particularly rewarding.
Himanshu was one of the net bowlers during India’s six-day camp in Chennai ahead of the two-Test series against Bangladesh. He put up strong performances in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, taking 3-53 and 4-77 as Mumbai defeated Odisha on Saturday, November 9.
In his previous match against Tripura, he was named Player of the Match for taking 6-65 and scoring 59 in a drawn game.
After Mumbai’s dominant win over Odisha at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy BKC in Mumbai, Himanshu spoke to the media about how bowling to India’s top players in the nets helped him prepare for the Ranji Trophy challenge. The young bowler shared his thoughts with The Times of India:
“I had gone there (Chennai) first, (playing in the) Ranji (Trophy) happened for me later. I got a lot of confidence after bowling there against big players. The confidence is now reflecting here and I am happy about it.”
“I learned a lot from looking at how those players prepared and I also spoke with them. It was a great experience for six days. I enjoyed bowling to Dhruv Jurel. The wickets there were mostly flat. I bowled a lot to him and he was doing well. So, I enjoyed the contest,” the 21-year-old added.
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Sharing his experience of bowling to Kohli and Rohit in the nets, Himanshu said:
“I bowled at them and beat both of them, but beating Virat bhai was more satisfying. I spoke with (Ravindra) Jadeja about his preparations etc.”
In his three first-class matches, Himanshu has taken 16 wickets at an average of 18.18, including one five-wicket haul and one four-wicket haul.
“I only look up to two bowlers for inspiration; Nathan Lyon and Ravichandran Ashwin”- Himanshu Singh
Talking about his cricketing idols, Himanshu mentioned that he only follows two off-spinners—India’s Ravichandran Ashwin and Australia’s Nathan Lyon. The young bowler explained that he has learned the craft of off-spin by observing these greats in action. He stated:
“I only follow two bowlers all over the world, Nathan Lyon and Ravichandran Ashwin. Whatever I have learned in terms of off-spin bowling in white and red-ball cricket, has been from watching them bowl.”
“I have always enjoyed bowling, so, I don’t feel any pressure when people say I am like Ashwin. In fact, I feel good about it, but then (I know) I have a long way to go, there is a lot of time left,” Himanshu added.
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The Akola-born cricketer was given a spot in the Mumbai playing XI against Odisha after all-rounder Tanush Kotian was selected for the India A team’s tour to Australia, following a series of consistent performances.
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