Rahane’s Shocking Revelation: How He Saved Jaiswal From a Four-Match Ban
In a significant disclosure that has sent ripples through the cricketing world, seasoned Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has shed light on a pivotal moment involving young batting sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal, revealing how his timely intervention during the 2022 Duleep Trophy final potentially averted a four-match ban for Jaiswal.
The dynamic between Rahane, a multiple-trophy-winning captain and a revered figure in Indian cricket, and Jaiswal, an emerging talent, has long been a subject of keen interest within Mumbai’s cricketing fraternity. Rahane’s latest comments provide crucial context to an incident that has frequently been referenced when discussing their relationship.
The incident in question occurred during the 2022 Duleep Trophy final, where Jaiswal, representing West Zone, found himself embroiled in a heated exchange with South Zone’s T Ravi Teja. Despite repeated warnings from the umpire, the confrontations persisted, raising concerns about escalating tensions.
As captain of West Zone, Rahane felt compelled to act. He initially attempted to de-escalate the situation by urging Jaiswal to cease his involvement. When his appeals proved insufficient, Rahane took the decisive step of asking Jaiswal to leave the field and retreat to the dressing room for a temporary period.
Reflecting on that moment, Rahane underscored his belief that the situation was on the verge of spiraling out of control. “Sledging happens in the game, and I agree that it should happen—it adds a bit of fun,” Rahane stated in an interview with The Indian Express. “I sensed the situation, then, would have gone out of hand. Yes, at that point Yashasvi must have felt bad. But we’ve seen many situations where players have been banned, and you never know how time changes. One opportunity gone, your time changes—you never know. I sensed the situation and also felt both players were going out of hand, and it was my responsibility to control my teammate.”
The most startling revelation from Rahane came next. He disclosed that the match referee, Vengalil Narayanan Kutty, had already drafted a letter imposing a four-match ban on Jaiswal. “The match referee was ready with a 4-match ban and the letter was already written,” Rahane revealed. “He came up to me and said, ‘This is the letter, but because you did this, I’m tearing it up.’ He tore the letter in front of me… In the end, I was happy that Jaiswal didn’t get any match ban, and now he’s playing for India. What could have happened? Maybe he wouldn’t have played after that, or maybe not. He’s a quality player and I’m not taking any credit away from him. But you never know.”
This averted ban could have had significant ramifications for Jaiswal’s burgeoning career. Post-incident, Jaiswal went on to deliver a match-winning performance in the final, smashing 265 runs and earning Player of the Match honors as West Zone clinched the title. His exceptional form continued, leading to his India debut in 2023 during the tour of the West Indies.
Rahane emphasized that his decision to remove Jaiswal from the field was deeply rooted in the principles he absorbed through Mumbai cricket, particularly the paramount importance of respecting officials. “Mistakes can happen with anyone,” Rahane said. “But as a player, you stay within that limit. So it was my instinctive reaction to send him off the field. He, as a player, maybe felt bad. I thought, ‘if he felt bad about me, it’s okay.’ But I think at that point in time, it was a good thing for him. The thing I told him was to go inside for a few overs, put ice on your head, and come back.”
The significance of this incident has only grown with Jaiswal’s meteoric rise in international cricket. While reports in 2025 suggested potential tensions between Jaiswal and Rahane, possibly influencing Jaiswal’s contemplation of a move from Mumbai to Goa (a move he ultimately didn’t make), Rahane’s current account offers a crucial perspective on a past flashpoint. His intervention, as he clarifies, was not punitive but a protective measure, designed to safeguard a talented teammate and prevent a situation from negatively impacting his career.
