A shameful incident from the past of Indian first-class cricket. In the Duleep Trophy Final on 29 January 1991, when Rashid Patel attacks batsmen with a stump in the Indian final at Jamshedpur. A rare cricket incident suffered the most violent on-field incident in first-class history when Indian international Rashid Patel, a left-arm pace bowler with one Test cap, assaulted two opposition batsmen with a stump during a major domestic final.
Rashid Patel attacked fellow international Raman Lamba and his North Zone opening partner Ajay Jadeja as Lamba defends himself five-day final of the Inter-Zone against Patel’s unorthodox tournament for the Duleep Trophy was abandoned amid a stamp attack. This was indeed a shameful scene.
The conflict, in the Keenan Stadium, flared up after a bouncer was delivered at Lamba by Patel, of West Zone, from a long way beyond the popping crease. Raman Lamba who has been the target of persistent short-pitch bowling drew away from the wicket and remonstrated with Patel.
Rashid Patel then ran to the batsman’s end and pulled out a stump. Ajay Jadeja who had followed him up the pitch and warned Lamba of the impending assault took the first blow on his elbow. Then Patel went in pursuit of Lamba flailing the stump. However, Raman Lamba saved himself from serious injury by using his bat as a shield. Thus the act of physical assault is clearly unacceptable and may spell the end of Patel’s career.
The crowd, at a neutral ground in the East Zone, added to the violent scenes by throwing stones, and the match, which was heading for a draw, was abandoned 15 minutes before tea on the last day. North Zone was declared the winner by virtue of a first-innings leads – of 729 for the nine declared against the West’s 561. Then Patel got off lightly with a 13-month ban. Raman Lamba was banned for 10 months.
Rashid Patel call up for the Mumbai Test against Kiwis in 1988 was a surprise package after two ordinary seasons for Baroda. Bagging Pair in the Test and no wickets in 14 overs, indicating a complete failure. Although, Rashid Patel returned to first-class cricket after serving his ban but was a shadow of his former self, playing only thirteen matches in 5 seasons.
