Maharashtra top order batter Ankit Baware has been caught in the eye of the storm and is suspended for a game with immediate effect for showing dissent at an umpire's decision in their fifth-round game against Services. With the ban coming into effect, Bawne has taken no part in the ongoing Group A Ranji fixture which is taking place between Maharashtra and Baroda in Nashik.

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Baware causes an uproar and refuses to walk

While facing the left-arm spin of Amit Shukla from the Services team, Baware had fended at a wide tossed-up delivery which resulted in a genuine outside edge. Shubham Rohilla standing at first slip claimed the catch and Baware was adjudged out. However, the Maharashtra batter refuted the on-field umpire's decision and refused to walk off as he was not convinced by the decision. At that moment, there appeared to be conclusive evidence to suggest that the ball may have landed just in front of the slip fielder before settling into his hands. 

Since the game was only available on a live stream, Baware, being the stand-in captain could not opt for a DRS review as there was no provision for DRS technology to be in place. Baware was left distraught by that call and his denial to walk off resulted in the suspension of play for nearly 15 minutes. The match referee Amit Sharma and Maharashtra coach Sulakshan Kulkarni had to intervene to ease the simmering tensions and allow the game to carry on from the point where it was halted.

Maharashtra team challenges Baware's controversial out decision

After that dismissal, Maharashtra coach Kulkarni mounted a scathing attack on the umpires and highlighted their poor standards in domestic cricket. He argued that while the players face suspension and fines for showing dissent, the match officials at large evade scrutiny from the governing body.

"Players are subject to fines and reprimand, what about proper assessment of umpires? Why do the same erring umpires continue to officiate and play spoilsport? When there are blunders of this nature, the anger is justified."

These sentiments were also echoed by the Maharashtra skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad who also posted replays of his dismissal challenging the umpire's decision.

The mayhem over Baware's controversial out decision has died down after his suspension. Aside from that, Bawne has been Maharashtra's leading run-scorer this season, with 361 runs from five matches at an average of 51.57. Additionally, he has also scored one century and two fifties.