Cricket witnessed one of its rarest dismissals during a Ranji Trophy Plate League clash in Surat, where Manipur batter Lamabam Ajay Singh found himself at the centre of an unusual moment. Ajay was given out for “hitting the ball twice,” a mode of dismissal rarely seen in modern domestic cricket. With this, he became the first player to be dismissed in this manner in Ranji Trophy since the 2005–06 season, entering an elite yet unwanted chapter of the tournament’s long history.

The incident unfolded when Ajay, still on 0 after 19 deliveries, defended a ball from Meghalaya bowler Aryan Bora. After the defensive stroke, the ball began rolling back dangerously toward the stumps. In line with the laws of cricket, Ajay instinctively used his bat to prevent the ball from dislodging the bails—a completely legal move as long as it is done solely to protect the wicket.

However, in a surprising turn of events, on-field umpire Dharmesh Bhardwaj adjudged him out. Even more shocking was the fact that Ajay, despite being within his rights, accepted the decision without protest.

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According to MCC Law 34.1.1, a batter can only be given out for hitting the ball twice if the second strike is wilful and not merely an attempt to defend the wicket. Ajay’s action clearly fell under the permitted exception. He neither attempted a second shot nor tried to manipulate the ball—he simply prevented it from crashing into his stumps.

Batsman Given Out for Hitting the ball Twice

> 🏏 In a rare moment in the Ranji Trophy Plate Group clash between Manipur cricket team and Meghalaya cricket team, Manipur’s batter Lamabam Singh was given out for “hitting the ball twice” — one of cricket’s seldom-seen dismissals. pic.twitter.com/AgOOS0NSGs

— Abhishek Dhiman (@Abhi_dhiman8090) November 18, 2025

“He could’ve padded it away, but he chose to stop it with his bat and was immediately given out ‘hit the ball twice’ the moment Meghalaya appealed,” a venue official told ESPNcricinfo, highlighting the confusion around the decision.

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Across the prestigious history of the Ranji Trophy, only five cricketers have suffered this dismissal. They include Andhra’s K Bavanna (1963–64), J&K’s Shahid Parvez (1986–87), Tamil Nadu’s Anand George (1998–99), and J&K’s Dhruv Mahajan (2005–06). With this incident, Ajay Singh becomes the latest and perhaps most debated member of this incredibly rare list.