Cheteshwar Pujara becomes first Indian to be given out "handled the ball" in first-class cricket

Cheteshwar Pujara

Earlier today, Cheteshwar Pujara became the first Indian batsman ever to be dismissed “handled the ball” in first-class cricket. The incident occurred on day 1 of the County Championship Division Two match between Derbyshire and Leicestershire at the County Ground in Derby.

Pujara was batting on 6 when he was adjudged to have handled the ball on the last delivery of the 20^th over of the innings, which was bowled by left-arm medium pace bowler Atif Sheikh. According to Derbyshire’s official Twitter account, the Saurashtra batsman “swatted” the ball away, when it seemed destined to be going on to hit the stumps.

This is just the second instance of an Indian batsman losing his wicket to this mode of dismissal. The only previous time it happened was when Mohinder Amarnath was adjudged to have handled the ball in an ODI match against Australia, way back in 1986.

Just last week, the 26-year-old Pujara had inspired Derbyshire to victory over Surrey with an unbeaten knock of 90* in the fourth innings.

This is the 59^th time a batsmen has been dismissed handling the ball in first-class cricket. The last instance of such a dismissal occurring in England was in 1996, when Karl Krikken (also, from Derbyshire) fell victim against a touring Indian team.

Wicket. Pujara out handled off wicket for six; Derbyshire 62-3 (20); Slater 26*; Durston in at five #DERvLEI

— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) September 23, 2014

UPDATE: For clarification, the ball appeared to be heading onto the stumps and Pujara instinctively swatted the ball away #DERvLEI

— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) September 23, 2014