For Dissent, Ankit Bawne Receives a One-Match Ranji Ban
Ankit Bawne

Discussions concerning umpiring standards and player conduct in domestic cricket have been triggered by the decision to suspend Maharashtra batsman Ankit Bawne for one match for displaying dissent.
The suspension was issued prior to Maharashtra’s sixth-round Ranji Trophy Group A match against Baroda in Nashik, depriving the team of its best hitter.
The Suspension-Related Event
The issue is caused by an event during Maharashtra’s match against Services in the fifth round. After being given out, Bawne, who was filling in as captain in Ruturaj Gaikwad’s absence, refused to leave the field. Join bpexch app for the latest cricket news.
Shubham Rohilla was dismissed for a catch at slip off left-arm spinner Amit Shukla before the start of the white-ball season. Replays, however, revealed that the ball seemed to have bounced before being collected, creating a lot of noise.
There was no Decision Review System (DRS) to confirm the on-field verdict because the match was live-streamed rather than shown on television.
Bawne’s choice to remain on the field, frustrated by the apparent mistake, caused play to be interrupted for fifteen minutes. The matter was ultimately settled after Maharashtra coach Sulakshan Kulkarni and match referee Amit Sharma intervened.
Reaction to Umpiring Guidelines
The event brought to light issues with domestic cricket umpiring standards. Sulakshan Kulkarni expressed his annoyance and demanded that umpires be held more accountable.
“Players can receive penalties and reprimands, but what about umpires being properly evaluated? Why do the same incompetent referees still officiate and engage in spoilsport? Anger is justified when mistakes of this kind occur,” he said.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Maharashtra’s regular captain who was then playing for India A in Australia, added to the issue by posting replays of the expulsion on social media, which fueled debates about the need for improved umpiring standards and technology in local matches.
The Role of Bawne in the Maharashtra Campaign
This season, Ankit Bawne has been a vital member of Maharashtra’s team. He has been the team’s top run-scorer with 361 runs from five games at a remarkable average of 51.57. He is a vital team member because of his efforts, which include one century and two half-centuries.
Sadly, Maharashtra’s effort hasn’t been that successful. In Group A, the team is ranked second from the bottom, and their dreams of making the playoffs have already been scuppered.
They cannot overtake teams like Baroda and Jammu & Kashmir, who have already amassed more points, even if they earn a maximum of 22 points.
The Bigger Picture: Player Behavior, Technology, and Umpiring
Bawne's ban has rekindled discussions concerning improved facilities and officiating in domestic cricket. The event highlights the problems players have with inconsistent umpiring, even when dissent is a severe problem.
Players and teams are left to rely on on-field judgments that have the potential to drastically alter the outcome of a game in the absence of DRS or comparable technology.
Although Bawne’s actions go against the spirit of the game, they reflect players' growing dissatisfaction with domestic umpiring’s lack of responsibility.
As a result of the heightened attention around this issue, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may be forced to take action to raise officiating standards and use technology to cut down on mistakes.
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What’s Next for Bawne and Maharashtra
Maharashtra must regroup and concentrate on rescuing their campaign as they prepare for their next match against Baroda without Bawne. Bawne views this ban as a lesson in balancing professionalism and a spirit of competition.
But his accomplishments this season shouldn’t be overshadowed by the incident, nor should it lessen his chances of becoming a vital member of Maharashtra again.
Players and officials must cooperate going forward to maintain the game’s fairness and appeal for all parties involved.
In the long run, Bawne’s ban serves as a warning that domestic cricket needs to undergo reforms that guarantee player discipline and improved officiating standards to avoid future scandals of this nature.
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