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Cricket’s Most Unusual Dismissal: During the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Gujarat Titans’ opener Sai Sudharsan experienced an extraordinary moment when he was dismissed hit wicket twice in the same season. He remains the only batsman in world cricket to have been out hit wicket with his own bat on two separate occasions within a single season. Watching the way Sai Sudharsan was dismissed, one might think such a thing could never happen again – but cricket’s rules always have room for surprises.

The sport of cricket is known for its complex and sometimes quirky laws, which can lead to bizarre dismissals. A similar rare incident took place during the 2023 ODI World Cup when Sri Lanka’s experienced batter Angelo Mathews was declared out in a manner never before seen in international cricket. Here’s how it unfolded…

How Angelo Mathews Was Dismissed

During the 2023 ODI World Cup clash between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, Sri Lanka took first strike. Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan was bowling and had just dismissed Sadeera Samarawickrama, who had been batting fluently. Following his wicket, Angelo Mathews walked out to the middle but astonishingly, he was sent back without facing a single delivery.

As Mathews prepared to take guard, he realised that the strap of his helmet had broken. He signalled towards the dugout requesting a replacement helmet. A teammate soon brought another one onto the field, but before Mathews could resume play, the umpires intervened and stopped him from taking his place at the crease. Moments later, to everyone’s disbelief, the umpire declared Mathews out and asked him to leave the field.

Mathews Declared ‘Timed Out’

When the umpire signalled Angelo Mathews out, the Sri Lankan veteran appeared completely baffled. He engaged in a prolonged discussion with the officials, seeking clarification. The umpire then informed him that he had been ruled ‘timed out’. The appeal had come from Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan. Hearing this, Mathews was visibly furious and argued his case for several minutes on the field, insisting that the situation was beyond his control.

The Rule Behind Mathews’ Dismissal

According to the official Laws of Cricket, once a wicket falls, the next batsman must be ready to face the next delivery within three minutes. If he fails to do so, the fielding side is entitled to appeal for a ‘timed out’ dismissal, and the umpire can give the incoming batsman out if the appeal is upheld. This rule led to Angelo Mathews’ unprecedented dismissal — the first of its kind in international cricket history.