Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane was granted a life after the Assam team showed great sportsmanship and recalled him after he was dismissed for obstructing the field in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024 tie at the BKC ground on February 16, 2024.
This was the first time the veteran batter was out in this fashion in his 16-year professional career. The incident happened when Rahane was batting on 18 with Mumbai on 102 for 4 in the last over before the scheduled tea break.
He drove a delivery from Assam debutant pacer Dibakar Johri, down to mid-on and took off for a single. But by the time his batting partner Shivam Dube denied the single and sent Rahane back, Assam captain Denish Das fired in a throw at the keeper's end and hit Rahane who was trying to get back to the crease.
Rahane was adjudged out after Assam players went up in an appeal immediately for "obstructing the field." Tea was taken two balls early with Mumbai 102 for 5 in reply to Assam's 84 all out.
But in twist in the tale, during the break, the Assam team decided to withdraw the appeal and informed the umpires of the same. As per the laws, the appeal for a dismissal needs to be withdrawn before the next ball is bowled and has to be accepted by the umpires for the batter to be recalled.
Rahane was lucky that there was a break in play after his temporary dismissal and both teams were back in the dressing room. The withdrawal of the appeal was accepted by the umpires and Rahane walked out to bat again about 20 minutes later.
However, the return didn’t last long as Rahane was bowled by the same bowler four overs after the tea break for 22 runs.
Assam were earlier bowled out in just 32.1 overs as Shardul Thakur, returning form injury, picked 6 for 21 from 10.1 overs after Mumbai had opted to bowl.
Rahane has so far had an unimpressive Ranji season with just 112 runs from eight innings at an average of 16.00. He had missed two Ranji league games with injuries.
Mumbai is currently leading the Group B table with 30 points after four wins, one draw, and a loss from six games and has already qualified for the quarter-finals.
