What is ‘Hit the Ball Twice’? The Rare Dismissal That Ended Lamabam Singh’s Innings
Manipur’s Lamabam Singh fell victim to one of cricket’s most unusual dismissals when he was given out for hitting the ball twice during a Ranji Trophy plate league match against Meghalaya in Surat on Tuesday.
Lamabam defended an Aryan Bora delivery, but watched the ball roll back toward the stumps before using his bat to block it again. The umpire raised his finger and Lamabam reportedly didn’t protest as he walked off the field.
What does the rule say?
Rule 34.1 of the Marylebone Cricket Club explains the ‘Out Hit the ball twice’ rule as follows:
34.1.1 The striker is out Hit the ball twice if, while the ball is in play, it strikes any part of his/her person or is struck by his/her bat and, before the ball has been touched by a fielder, the striker wilfully strikes it again with his/her bat or person, other than a hand not holding the bat, except for the sole purpose of guarding his/her wicket. See 34.3 and Law 37 (Obstructing the field).
34.1.2 For the purpose of this Law ‘struck’ or ‘strike’ shall include contact with the person of the striker.
34.1.3 This Law will apply whether or not No ball is called.
Has such an incident happened before?
Yes, at the international level, there has only been one such dismissal before, when Fanyan Mughal of Malta was given out after he hit the ball a second time against Romania in the Continental Cup in August 2023.
In Ranji Trophy, however, it has previously happened four times:
| Player | Team | Ranji Trophy season |
| Dhruv Mahajan | Jammu & Kashmir | 2005-06 |
| K. Bavanna | Andhra | 1963-64 |
| Shahid Parvez | Jammu & Kashmir | 1986-87 |
| Anand George | Tamil Nadu | 1998-99 |
Published on Nov 19, 2025
