Bizarre Dismissal: Abhimanyu Easwaran Run Out After Leaving Crease for Drinks in Ranji Trophy

In one of the most unusual dismissals of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season, Bengal captain Abhimanyu Easwaran was run out after stepping out of his crease to collect drinks, mistakenly believing the ball was dead. The incident occurred during Bengal's Elite Group C encounter against Services on Thursday.

The Fateful Moment at 81

Easwaran had been batting with characteristic fluency, compiling a well-crafted 81 and appearing set for what would have been his 28th first-class century. The dismissal came on the final ball of the 41st over, bowled by Services pacer Aditya Kumar.

How the Run Out Unfolded

Bengal's Sudip Chatterjee pushed a full-length delivery straight back towards the bowler. Easwaran, assuming the over had concluded and that drinks had been called, casually stepped out of his crease and began walking towards the pavilion end. He wasn't attempting to steal a run or gain any competitive advantage—it was simply a momentary lapse in concentration.

However, the ball brushed Aditya Kumar's fingers and deflected onto the stumps. With Easwaran stranded well outside his crease, Services appealed, and the on-field umpires referred the decision to the third umpire, who ruled the Bengal captain out.

Easwaran Takes Full Responsibility

In a display of sportsmanship and self-awareness, Easwaran addressed the incident after the day's play, taking complete ownership of his mistake.

"The innings was going very well, but the mistake I made surprised even me. Some might feel the opposition could've called me back in the spirit of the game, but there was no question of that. It was entirely my fault. I thought the bowler had collected the ball and instinctively moved forward."

Coach Shukla Draws Parallel with Ian Bell Incident

Bengal head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla addressed comparisons to the infamous 2011 run-out involving England's Ian Bell at Trent Bridge. In that incident, Bell was run out assuming the ball was dead just before tea, but India withdrew their appeal following intervention from England captain Andrew Strauss, allowing Bell to resume his innings.

"They may look similar, but you cannot compare the two directly. That was a different era and different circumstances. This was simply a mistake on the batter's part. It doesn't mean he lacks awareness; he is a senior player, but cricket can be unpredictable."

No Criticism for Services

Shukla was careful not to criticize the opposition's decision to uphold the appeal:

"While the opposition could have considered calling him back, there is nothing wrong in their decision not to. Everything happened within the laws of the game."

Impact on Bengal's Innings

Losing their captain and premier batter at a crucial juncture would have been a significant setback for Bengal. Easwaran's 81 represented a substantial contribution, but the manner of dismissal—rather than the scoreline—will be what lingers in the memory from this match.

The Spirit of Cricket Debate

This incident reignites the perennial debate about the spirit of cricket versus playing within the laws of the game. While some purists might argue that Services could have recalled Easwaran given the circumstances, the opposition was well within their rights to appeal and claim the wicket.

Looking Ahead

For Easwaran, this dismissal serves as a reminder that concentration in first-class cricket must be maintained until the umpire officially signals the end of an over or calls for a break. Despite this setback, the Bengal captain remains one of the most consistent performers in domestic cricket, and this momentary lapse is unlikely to affect his standing or form in future matches.

The Ranji Trophy 2025-26 continues to produce dramatic moments, and this bizarre run-out will certainly be discussed in cricketing circles for some time to come.