In the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024 final between Mumbai and Vidarbha at the Wankhede Stadium, Ajinkya Rahane found himself on the brink of an early departure as a loud LBW appeal echoed through the stadium. Facing Vidarbha’s pace spearhead, Umesh Yadav, Rahane missed a delivery that sharply jagged back after pitching.

The on-field umpire initially dismissed the appeal, but Vidarbha opted for a review. The decision was umpire’s call, saving the Mumbai captain from an early exit. Umesh Yadav wore a look of disbelief as he retreated, and commentators dissected Rahane’s technique, emphasizing the impact of his head position.

They pointed out that Rahane’s falling head made it challenging for him to deal with deliveries that cut in. Former Bengal cricketer Joydeep Mukherjee highlighted Rahane’s foot positioning, suggesting that he anticipated the ball to come straight after pitching.

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“We have to talk about Ajinkya Rahane’s head position. When the head falls over, it becomes difficult to play deliveries that cut in. Ajinkya will have to be wary of that,” commented one of the broadcasters.

Mukherjee analyzed Rahane’s foot placement, noting, “The foot pointing towards mid-off tells me that he was playing for the ball going straight and not jagging back; otherwise, it would be a lot straighter. Because of the length, he has not been able to adjust to the movement.”

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Sharing insights into the game, India’s offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin posted a clip of the analysis on his Instagram Story. Ashwin, a key figure in India’s recent 4-1 Test series victory against England, finished as the leading wicket-taker and achieved the milestone of 500 wickets in the format. Rahane’s close call and the ongoing Ranji Trophy final have caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts, with the analysis providing valuable insights into the game.