Rare 'Hitting the Ball Twice' Dismissal Stuns Ranji Trophy
An extremely rare form of dismissal made a dramatic return to Indian domestic cricket this week during the Ranji Trophy match between Manipur and Meghalaya. Manipur batter Lamabam Ajay Singh was given out for "hitting the ball twice", a mode of dismissal that hasn't been recorded in the prestigious tournament for nearly two decades.
The Incident That Sparked Controversy
The unusual dismissal occurred when Lamabam defended a delivery from Meghalaya bowler Aryan Bora. After the ball made contact with his bat, it began rolling back toward the stumps. In what appeared to be a moment of panic, the batter used his bat to intercept the ball again, attempting to prevent it from hitting the wickets. This immediate action prompted a strong appeal from the Meghalaya team.
A venue official provided crucial context to ESPN Cricinfo, explaining the umpire's reasoning. "He could've padded it away, but he chose to stop it with his bat and was immediately given out 'hit the ball twice' by umpire Dharmesh Bhardwaj," the official revealed. The batter accepted the decision without argument and walked off the field as soon as the appeal was made.
Understanding MCC Law 34
This dismissal falls under Law 34 of the MCC code, which governs the rare occurrence of hitting the ball twice. The law states that a batter can be given out if they willfully strike the ball a second time while it remains in play. However, there's an important exception: the act is permitted if it's solely to protect the wicket.
Clause 34.1.1 specifically clarifies that a second strike is only allowed to prevent the ball from hitting the stumps. Any action deemed deliberate beyond this protective measure constitutes an offense. In Lamabam's case, the on-field officials judged his second contact with the ball as deliberate rather than purely defensive.
Historical Context and Expert Reactions
The rarity of this dismissal cannot be overstated. The previous recorded instance in the Ranji Trophy occurred during the 2005/06 season involving Jammu & Kashmir captain Dhruv Mahajan, making this week's event the first such dismissal in approximately 18 years.
Indian cricket star Ravichandran Ashwin reacted to the incident on social media platform X, sharing his own humorous experience with similar situations in informal cricket. "Today I got out in gully cricket for the rarest crime ever - hitting the ball twice. First shot: defended. Second shot: panic swipe to save my stumps. Third thing: the entire lane shouting 'OUTTT!' louder than a World Cup final," Ashwin wrote.
The veteran spinner also commented directly on Lamabam's dismissal, highlighting the nuanced interpretation of the rules. "Lamabam Singh was given out for hitting the ball twice in a Ranji Trophy game. It's out only in gully cricket and not according to the actual laws of the game," Ashwin noted, referring to the MCC allowance for batters to protect their stumps.
The decision has sparked considerable debate among cricket enthusiasts and experts, with discussions focusing on the fine line between protective action and deliberate play. While the cricket community continues to analyze the incident, the final judgment rested with the on-field officials who deemed the second strike as willful rather than protective.
