Lamabam Singh Dismissed for Hitting Ball Twice in Ranji Trophy

Manipur’s cricket player, Lamabam Singh, faced an unusual dismissal during a Ranji Trophy plate league match against Meghalaya in Surat on November 19, 2025. Singh was given out for hitting the ball twice, a decision that highlights a rare occurrence in the sport. After defending a delivery from Aryan Bora, Singh inadvertently struck the ball again with his bat as it rolled back towards the stumps. The umpire raised his finger to signal the dismissal, and Singh reportedly accepted the decision without protest as he left the field.

The rules governing this type of dismissal are outlined in Rule 34.1 of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) regulations. According to the law, a batsman is out “Hit the ball twice” if, while the ball is in play, it strikes any part of the batsman or is hit by the bat, and before a fielder touches the ball, the batsman strikes it again with the bat or their person, except in certain circumstances meant to defend their wicket.

The specific provisions of this rule further clarify that the term “struck” includes contact by the batsman’s body and applies regardless of whether a no-ball is called.

This incident is particularly notable as it is only the second documented case of such a dismissal at the international level. The first instance occurred when Fanyan Mughal from Malta was given out for the same reason during a match against Romania in the Continental Cup in August 2023. While the Ranji Trophy has seen this rare dismissal four times previously, it remains infrequent in the sport overall.

Singh’s unfortunate dismissal not only adds to the annals of cricket’s unique laws but also serves as a reminder of the intricacies involved in the game. Players and spectators alike are often left surprised by such rare occurrences, which contribute to cricket’s rich tapestry of rules and regulations.