Pune: High drama prevailed as Maharashtra captain Ankeet Bawne refused to leave the field after being given out caught despite a bounced ball, leading to suspension of play for 15 minutes, in their Ranji Trophy game against Services at Gahunje stadium Thursday.
The seasoned batsman, who had been part of the India ‘A’ team in the past, finally relented after much persuasion from match officials and team management.
The incident happened on the first ball of the 50th over bowled by left-arm spinner Amit Shukla. The middle-order batsman edged it to second slip, placed a couple of feet ahead than the normal position. Shubham Rohilla claimed the catch and started celebrating and Bawne started his protest straightaway even before the umpire could give his verdict.
Nikhil Menon, the umpire at the non-striker’s end, consulted square-leg umpire P Jayapal, before raising his finger. It left Bawne stunned.
TV replays showed that the slip fielder Rohilla had plucked the ball on the bounce. However, since this match was only digital live and not full-fledged live (including a designated TV umpire) there was no Decision Review System (DRS). Hence, the batting team could not refer it to the match referee who acts as TV umpire in such games.
The umpires themselves could ask for TV intervention only in cases of run outs, stumpings, hit wicket and front foot no-balls. The rival team could have withdrawn their appeal, but they decided to trust their fielder.
Bawne was batting on 73 and his wicket was crucial as Maharashtra were responding to the Services first-innings total of 293 on a turning track.
Bawne, 31, a veteran of 120 first-class games, then chose not leave the field. The umpires persuaded him to accept the decision but the batsman stood his ground. The umpires then requested the Services players to leave the field and removed the bails, indicating suspension of play.
Amid the drama, match referee Amit Sharma came near the boundary rope and spoke with the umpires. Even Maharashtra coach Sulakashan Kulkarni, realising that the decision won’t be reversed, asked Bawne to cross the ropes and allow the next batsman to take the field.
Finally, Bawne – who was in a best position to see the bounce of the ball being far close to the action and with a clearer view than umpires – relented and play resumed as next man Mukesh Choudhary joined Saurabh Nawale at the crease.
Earlier, Bawne was given a reprieve on 30. He was given out lbw but the umpire on his own referred it to the match referee to check for no-ball. The decision turned out to be in Bawne’s favour.
Maharashtra coach Sulakshan Kulkarni said, “Players are subject to fines and reprimands but what about proper assessment of umpires? Why do the same erring umpires continue to officiate and play spoilsport? We can accept umpiring mistakes as part of the game and are also aware that the umpires’ verdict is final. But when there are blunders of this nature, the anger is justified.”
Maharashtra’s Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is captaining India ‘A’ in Australia, posted on Instagram (with a screen grab of a ball about to touch the ground), “How can this be given out in a live game??? Shame to even appeal this for a catchhh! Absolutely pathetic #mahservics #ranji (sic).”
Attempts to get a comment from the Services’ team management proved futile.
After being 164-6 until Bawne’s departure, Maharashtra folded up for 185, giving Services 108-run first-innings lead.
The seasoned batsman, who had been part of the India ‘A’ team in the past, finally relented after much persuasion from match officials and team management.
The incident happened on the first ball of the 50th over bowled by left-arm spinner Amit Shukla. The middle-order batsman edged it to second slip, placed a couple of feet ahead than the normal position. Shubham Rohilla claimed the catch and started celebrating and Bawne started his protest straightaway even before the umpire could give his verdict.
Nikhil Menon, the umpire at the non-striker’s end, consulted square-leg umpire P Jayapal, before raising his finger. It left Bawne stunned.
TV replays showed that the slip fielder Rohilla had plucked the ball on the bounce. However, since this match was only digital live and not full-fledged live (including a designated TV umpire) there was no Decision Review System (DRS). Hence, the batting team could not refer it to the match referee who acts as TV umpire in such games.
The umpires themselves could ask for TV intervention only in cases of run outs, stumpings, hit wicket and front foot no-balls. The rival team could have withdrawn their appeal, but they decided to trust their fielder.
Bawne was batting on 73 and his wicket was crucial as Maharashtra were responding to the Services first-innings total of 293 on a turning track.
Bawne, 31, a veteran of 120 first-class games, then chose not leave the field. The umpires persuaded him to accept the decision but the batsman stood his ground. The umpires then requested the Services players to leave the field and removed the bails, indicating suspension of play.
Amid the drama, match referee Amit Sharma came near the boundary rope and spoke with the umpires. Even Maharashtra coach Sulakashan Kulkarni, realising that the decision won’t be reversed, asked Bawne to cross the ropes and allow the next batsman to take the field.
Finally, Bawne – who was in a best position to see the bounce of the ball being far close to the action and with a clearer view than umpires – relented and play resumed as next man Mukesh Choudhary joined Saurabh Nawale at the crease.
Earlier, Bawne was given a reprieve on 30. He was given out lbw but the umpire on his own referred it to the match referee to check for no-ball. The decision turned out to be in Bawne’s favour.
Maharashtra coach Sulakshan Kulkarni said, “Players are subject to fines and reprimands but what about proper assessment of umpires? Why do the same erring umpires continue to officiate and play spoilsport? We can accept umpiring mistakes as part of the game and are also aware that the umpires’ verdict is final. But when there are blunders of this nature, the anger is justified.”
Maharashtra’s Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is captaining India ‘A’ in Australia, posted on Instagram (with a screen grab of a ball about to touch the ground), “How can this be given out in a live game??? Shame to even appeal this for a catchhh! Absolutely pathetic #mahservics #ranji (sic).”
Attempts to get a comment from the Services’ team management proved futile.
After being 164-6 until Bawne’s departure, Maharashtra folded up for 185, giving Services 108-run first-innings lead.
