India’s discarded batsman Manish Pandey was involved in an unwanted incident in the Maharaja T20 Trophy 2024 match. The match was played between Bengaluru Blasters and Hubli Tigers at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
With just 24 runs needed to win off 28 balls for the Hubli Tigers, experienced batsman Manish Pandey was on strike in front of spinner Kranthi Kumar. Pandey tried to make room to hit the ball through the off side.
But the bowler followed him smartly and gave him space. Pandey was outpaced in his attempt and wicket-keeper Shivkumar Rakshith caught the ball behind the stumps by kneeling down. Rakshit immediately appealed and the umpire was quick to raise his finger without wasting any time.
Pandey was visibly upset with the umpire’s decision and walked aggressively towards him. He was seen making signs that the ball had hit his back pad instead of the bat. The square leg umpire intervened in time and calmed the situation down.
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Watch – Manish Pandey is furious with the umpire for leaving him out
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Manish Pandey didn’t stop there and had a few more words to say to the umpire as he headed to the dressing room. Even though his team was on the verge of winning the match, the Hubli Tigers captain was furious after being dismissed for just 6 off 12 balls.
Pandey has scored 61 runs in three matches in the tournament so far. However, his strike rate of 108.92 indicates that he is yet to find his form.
Hubli Tigers reach the target with ease
Pandey’s wicket did not affect the outcome of the match as youngster Aneeshwar Gautam played a spirited 14-run knock off 8 balls to lead the Hubli Tigers to a comfortable win in the end. Meanwhile, another youngster Manvanth Kumar also played a spirited 10-run knock off just 6 balls in the end.
At the start of the innings, Thippa Reddy scored 47 off 37 balls to give Hubli Tigers a flying start. Reddy formed a brilliant 81-run partnership with wicketkeeper Krishnan Shrijith for the second wicket and took his team into a comfortable position. Shrijith scored a valuable 41 off 35 balls.
Bengaluru Blasters’ first loss of the season
Hubli Tigers reached the target of 143 runs in just 18.5 overs to remain unbeaten in the tournament so far. The Tigers now have three wins in three matches and are at the second spot behind the Bengaluru Blasters. Meanwhile, it was the first loss of the season for the Bengaluru Blasters.
Earlier in the day, Manish Pandey won the toss and the Hubli Tigers elected to bowl first. The Blasters got off to the worst possible start as they lost their captain Mayank Agarwal early for a golden duck. Opener LR Chethan and middle-order batsman Shubhang Hegde scored valuable runs to take the Bengaluru Blasters to a respectable total.
Chethan scored an eye-catching 48 off 35 balls, including 5 fours and 2 sixes. On the other hand, Hegde scored a brilliant half-century and remained unbeaten on 52 off 36 balls.