West Zone captain Ajinkya Rahane set a brilliant example of being a leader when he sent off teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal off the field after the youngster continuously misbehaved with South Zone batter Ravi Teja during the Duleep Trophy final in Coimbatore.
The morning session of Day 5 of the Duleep Trophy final saw a controversy which culminated in 20-year-old Jaiswal being rebuked by his captain, Rahane, and being told to go off the field as a punishment – this even meant that West Zone fielded with only 10 players for 7 overs before Rahane called back Jaiswal.
Ajinkya Rahane steps up as a captain to admonish Yashasvi Jaiswal
Jaiswal was frequently in the ears of batsman Ravi Teja, who was battling to save his team amid a collapse. The situation first got heated and the umpires intervened and had a word with Jaiswal and Rahane. Then, as the videos show, Jaiswal was animated even when Rahane was talking to him.
Things got over the head for Rahane when Jaiswal continued his sledging and verbal volleys toward Ravi Teja, and the West Zone skipper told the youngster to leave the field.
The video of this incident has gone viral on social media. You can watch it here:
— YA (@YAndyRRSick) September 25, 2022
After the match, Rahane was asked about the incident and his decision to send Jaiswal off the field. The senior India cricket said: “No matter what, you have to respect opponents, umpires and match officials. That’s the way you play cricket. Some situations require a certain kind of treatment. That situation had to be dealt with in that fashion, I think it was the right call.”
Jaiswal was named the Player of the Match for his 265 in the second innings that set up an improbable target of 529, and West Zone won by 294 runs. Speaking at the post-match presentation, Yashasvi Jaiswal said, ”Whatever Ajju bhai says I take that seriously and try to follow it.”
Jaiswal became the joint-fastest Indian to 1000 first-class runs, getting to the mark in only his 13th innings, just like Amol Muzumdar and Rusi Modi.
