Rahane intervention averted Jaiswal ban in 2022 Duleep Trophy final
Ajinkya Rahane says his decision to remove Yashasvi Jaiswal from the field during the 2022 Duleep Trophy final prevented a severe disciplinary sanction that could have altered the young batter’s career trajectory.
Ajinkya Rahane has disclosed that his intervention during the 2022 Duleep Trophy final prevented young batter Yashasvi Jaiswal from receiving a four-match ban. Rahane, then captain of West Zone, removed Jaiswal from the field after repeated exchanges with South Zone’s T Ravi Teja, sensing the situation was escalating. Match referee Vengalil Narayanan Kutty had prepared a ban letter but tore it up upon learning of Rahane’s actions.
The incident occurred during the final between West Zone, captained by Rahane, and South Zone. Jaiswal was involved in repeated exchanges with Teja despite several warnings from the umpire. Rahane, a multiple-trophy-winning captain and a senior voice in Mumbai cricket, intervened to control his teammate, believing the situation was close to getting out of control.
Rahane stated that he sensed the situation was escalating and that stepping in was his responsibility as captain. He commented that "sledging happens in the game" and adds "a bit of fun," but acknowledged Jaiswal may have felt bad at the time. Rahane expressed uncertainty about Jaiswal’s career trajectory without this intervention, noting, "One opportunity gone, your time changes."
The match referee, Vengalil Narayanan Kutty, had already written the four-match ban letter before tearing it up in front of Rahane. Rahane revealed that the referee came to him with the document, stating that because of Rahane’s intervention, he was destroying it. Rahane confirmed he was happy Jaiswal avoided the ban, which could have impacted his subsequent opportunities.
Jaiswal subsequently played a match-winning innings in that final and later debuted for India. While Rahane credited Jaiswal’s quality as a player, he highlighted the precarious nature of professional cricket, where a single disciplinary sanction can alter a player's timeline. The relationship between the two has been a subject of discussion in Mumbai cricket circles, with this incident frequently linked to their professional dynamic.
