Ranji Trophy: Ajinkya Rahane given out obstructing the field before rivals withdraw appeal

Ranji Trophy: Ajinkya Rahane given out obstructing the field before rivals withdraw appeal

MUMBAI: Assam showed admirable sporting spirit on Friday when they revoked their appeal against Ajinkya Rahane after the Mumbai skipper was given out for obstructing the field.

The incident occurred in the 25th over, and just before tea, when Rahane pushed one towards mid-on and took off for a single, but Shivam Dube sent him back. As Rahane scampered to reach the crease, the throw by Denish Das-the skipper-hit him and the Assam players appeal was upheld by the umpires.

As it was the last over before tea, the players walked to the pavilion while Rahane tried to make sense of what had just transpired. Assam coach Trevor Gonsalves later went to the Mumbai dressing room to convey to them that they wish to withdraw the appeal.

That a break was taken for tea soon after the dismissal worked in Rahane’s favour as according to the rules, a team can revoke the appeal before the next ball is bowled.

Mumbai seamer Shardul Thakur later revealed that Rahane needed a lot of convincing to return to the field. The coach Omkar Salvi, Prithvi Shaw and Thakur spoke to their skipper and told him to go out and bat again.

Explaining the situation, Thakur said, “At no point did he change directions. The only time he did that was when he turned back. After that he didn’t change his direction by looking at the ball and he wasn’t trying to obstruct the field. But the umpires felt that he could be given out since the throw was at the stumps. Coach Gonsalves too saw the video and withdrew the appeal.”

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