Exclusive: ‘Will frame the signed ball,’ Vishal Jayswal, after getting the moment of his cricketing career

In an exclusive interview with OTTplay, Gujarat spinner Vishal Jayswal shared how he planned against Virat Kohli and what followed after he dismissed the Indian legend during Vijay Hazare Trophy match

Vishal Jayswal shared how the planned against Virat Kohli and what followed after the dismissal in an interview with OTTplay.

In every cricketer's journey, there comes a turning point that changes everything for them. For Gujarat left-arm spinner Vishal Jayswal, that moment arrived when he outfoxed Indian legend Virat Kohli with his spin in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 match against Delhi on Friday. Vishal got Kohli stumped for 77, marking the highlight of his cricketing career. The 27-year-old spinner shared details about how he planned the dismissal and what followed, exclusively with OTTPlay.

“The result of all the hard work I have done for years”

Although Vishal has been playing in domestic cricket for three years now, he has been toiling hard in for years, to get to where he is now, at the moment.

When Gujarat were drawn against Delhi in the group stages of the Vijay Hazare tournament, and the news of Virat Kohli playing in the tournament became public, Vishal knew it was his opportunity to perhaps get the biggest moment of his career.

“I knew this would be an opportunity for me to bowl against someone like Virat Kohli. We all know how great a player he is, and I am just happy, lucky, and delighted to get him out,” Vishal told OTTplay.

“I have always tried to focus on my process, and I feel like I finally got the result of all the hard work I have done for years. I hope that this will take me further in my cricketing career.”

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What was Vishal’s plan against Virat Kohli?

Although Virat has had his fair share of struggles against left-arm spinners in recent years, he has been in tremendous form since turning up for the ODI series in Australia. After two consecutive ducks in Australia, Kohli was coming to this match with five consecutive fifty-plus scores in List-A cricket, among which three were centuries.

So, how did Vishal plan to get Virat Kohli out?

“I just wanted to keep it tight against him,” Vishal answered.

“The main plan was not to give him runs. Obviously, he has been in great form, and he wanted to dominate from the start. So, my plan was to bowl within stumps and then hope for the best,” Vishal shared.

And after going for only five singles against Kohli, Vishal’s moment of his career came.

A bit frustrated, Kohli wanted to come down the track and dominate the left-arm spinner. Vishal lopped the ball in the air, and it dropped in front of Kohli before it spun away to outfox the Modern King. Urvil Patel did the rest to lodge the bails off, and Kohli had to depart after a well-made 77, which later earned him the Player of the Match award as well.

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“Just wanted to thank God for the oppurtunity”

After the dismissal, Vishal, who was bursting with joy inside, chose not to celebrate. “How could you celebrate in front of someone like Virat Kohli? We all grew up watching him play. I did not have that audacity,” Vishal expressed.

Right after the wicket, Kohli looked upset with him for not getting another ton, while Vishal could just look up in the sky and thank God for the opportunity he got.

“All the other bowlers in the team wanted his wicket. It felt like a blessing from the heavens, and in that moment I just wanted to thank lord for choosing me for this moment.”

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Did the Kohli fans mob in Instagram DMs?

Well, this is not unusual. After the Railways pacer Himanshu Sangwan got Virat Kohli out on 6 during a Ranji Trophy match, he had to face lots of backlash from the fans.

Did Vishal have to face the same as well?

“I do not see the comments and try to shy away from those people as well. I just got perhaps the greatest batter of this era, it will never matter to me what the trolls say in comment boxes,” Vishal answered humorously.

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“He told me to keep my focus”

After the match, although Gujarat faced a tough loss, Vishal was eager to get some words of wisdom from Kohli. Although it was very short, Kohli’s praise would always be with the young left-arm spinner.

“He said ‘well bowled’. He then told me to keep my focus. I will never forget this moment in my life.”

Vishal then got the opportunity to sign the match ball as well, with which he took 4/42 against Delhi, including the wicket of Kohli.

“I told him to sign the ball, and he did that. Everyone at my home is very happy with that as well. I will frame that signed ball and keep it in my room as a souvenir.”

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