Gambhir courts trouble after pushing umpire in Ranji game

Touching the umpire is a grave offence in cricket, an act that could invite a ban. According to PTI news agency, the incident occurred during the eighth over when Partha Sarathi Bhattacharjee got out to Delhi’s Manan Sharma, and Tiwary came in to bat at No. 4 wearing a cap.

Tiwary took guard and was about to take strike when he had a change of mind. He signalled the bowler to stop and then signalled at the dressing room to bring his helmet as a medium-pacer was operating from the other end.

The Delhi players reportedly felt that it was a deliberate time-wasting tactic.

Manan and Tiwary exchanged words when all of a sudden, Gambhir, from first slip, got involved and began abusing Tiwary, who then retaliated. Reportedly,

Gambhir told Tiwary, “Shaam ko mil tujhe maroonga (Meet me in the evening, I will hit you).” Tiwary retorted with, “Shaam kya abhi bahar chal (Why wait till evening, let’s go out and settle it now).”

Just as umpire Srinath sprinted from the bowler’s end, Gambhir was seen charging at Tiwary with raised fists. The Bengal skipper was also not ready back down. Srinath came in between, but Gambhir pushed the umpire to get him out of the way.

Tiwary was seen telling Gambhir, “Did I tell you anything? Why did you have to come in between.” Both Tiwary and Gambhir have been summoned by the match referee, Valmick Buch.