The players’ outburst as the dismissed Robin Uthappa began to walk back to the pavilion shocked the stadium.
Mumbai skipper Wasim Jaffer has never lost a Ranji game. But he and his side lost more than a match on Wednesday when they stooped so low as to abuse departing Karnataka captain Robin Uthappa.
Yes, Mumbai still has the edge in this game as Karnataka is involved in the biggest ever chase to win the Ranji Trophy final. Chasing 338 for a win, Karnataka still needs 203 with seven wickets in hand.
Ajit Agarkar, the all-rounder, had reason to celebrate when he tempted Uthappa to edge the ball to the hands of wicketkeeper Vinayak Samant during the nail-biting chase. Uthappa did not hesitate to leave the crease, but then the entire Mumbai squad got into a huddle and yelled “F--- off.”
The curse was so loud that it was heard even in the press box at the opposite end of the pitch.
The umpires were shocked by the abuse and were seen talking to Jaffer immediately after.
Domestic cricket is often perceived to be a dreary affair, but the last three days in Mysore have shown how fierce the rivalry can become.
To start with, there was the freak dismissal of Agarkar in the first innings. It’s a moot point whether the Karnataka players were justified in throwing away the legacy of GR Vishwanath by appealing for Agarkar’s dismissal. The incident, however, revealed that every run and wicket has become priceless for contemporary cricketers.
Ranjitsinhji, in whose name the biggest prize in Indian cricket goes, never played for India but left a high ideal for his countrymen to follow. It’s a pity that the players involved in the Ranji Trophy final have forgotten such ideals.
Even before the obscene send-off to Uthappa, Agarkar was involved in another incident. When he came in to bat in the second innings, he lasted just four balls as Uthappa took a low catch in the covers to dismiss him and threw the ball to the ground as he celebrated with his team mates.
While walking back, Agarkar pointed his fingers at umpire Hazare and was seen telling him something again and again. It was expected that Agarkar would come out firing when he was bowling after all that had happened, but what really was uncalled for was the entire team getting its hands dirty.
On the other hand, it was surprising that the match referee continued to act soft on the players. All spectators witnessed the incident, but the referee didn’t take any action.
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