Day five of the second Test between India and England at Edgbaston saw a bizarre and comical incident involving Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj and on-field umpire Sharfuddoula, adding an unexpected twist to an already dramatic match.
The moment occurred during the 53rd over of England’s second innings, when Indian bowler Prasidh Krishna delivered a back-of-a-length ball to Jamie Smith. The young English wicketkeeper-batter misread the pace, attempting a pull shot, but the ball struck him on the back thigh instead. Despite clear signs of the ball missing the stumps, umpire Sharfuddoula raised his finger, ruling Smith out LBW. The decision left Smith stunned, and he quickly opted for a review.
Replays confirmed his disbelief, as the ball had clearly missed the stumps by a significant margin, and UltraEdge showed no contact with the bat. The third umpire swiftly overturned the decision.
Moments later, in an odd sequence, umpire Sharfuddoula lobbed the ball toward Siraj, who was standing nearby. Siraj, perhaps distracted or not expecting the throw, failed to catch it cleanly, and the ball glanced off his head. The unintended blow sparked brief concern, with Sharfuddoula immediately checking on Siraj’s well-being.
Thankfully, Siraj was unharmed and shared a smile afterward, easing the tension. Umpire Sharfuddoula, already under scrutiny for questionable decisions during the Test, signaled the reversal of his LBW call moments later, making the whole episode both awkward and unintentionally humorous.
'He Loves Playing Tennis': Ajinkya Rahane Names MS Dhoni As His Ideal Doubles Partner During Wimbledon 2025 Interview; Video
On the sidelines of Wimbledon 2025, Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane revealed his dream doubles tennis partner, which was none other than former India captain MS Dhoni. When asked who he'd choose as a partner on the tennis court, Rahane responded without hesitation, saying, “I would like to be partner with Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He loves playing tennis.”
Rahane, known for his calm demeanor and sharp sporting acumen, further added, “I enjoy watching tennis and I have played tennis quite a few times. I think MS Dhoni will be my ideal partner.”
Dhoni’s love for tennis is well known, with videos of him playing the sport during the off-season frequently going viral. His passion for racquet sports and athleticism has earned him admiration beyond cricket, and Rahane's endorsement only further highlights the camaraderie between the two seasoned cricketers.
The moment was a light and heartwarming exchange amidst the grand tennis action at Wimbledon, showing once again how the spirit of sport unites athletes across disciplines.
