Cheteshwar Pujara was dismissed in a bizarre way in an English County Championship game against Leicestershire, when he was adjourned out handling the ball.
Pujara, who is playing county cricket for Derbyshire, became the first Indian batsman in a first-class game to be given out in such fashion and only the second after Mohammad Azharuddin, who got out in an international match.
The 26-year-old Pujara is also the first batsman since Karl Krikken to be given out handling the ball in England. Krikken was also dismissed on the same ground playing for Derbyshire in 1996 against India in a practice game.
Pujara was dismissed off Atif Sheikh, when he hit the ball instinctively that seemed to be going onto the stumps. Leicestershire players immediately appealed and the umpires issued marching orders to the Indian batsman, who was on nine at that time.
LAW 33 (HANDLED THE BALL) Says:
1. Out Handled the ball The striker is out Handled the ball if, except in the circumstances of 2 below, in the act of playing a ball delivered by the bowler, he willfully strikes the ball with a hand not holding the bat.
This will apply whether No ball has been called or not and whether it is the first strike or a second or subsequent strike. The act of playing the ball shall also encompass both playing at the ball and striking the ball more than once in defence of his wicket.
