A bizarre and unprecedented moment unfolded during the Indian Premier League 2026 match between Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings, leaving players, umpires, and fans stunned. Delhi batter Nitish Rana found himself at the center of an unusual dismissal that quickly went viral across social media.
The incident occurred in the 10th over when Rana attempted to play a shot off spinner Noor Ahmad. He edged the ball towards the leg side, where a fielder moved in to complete a catch. However, before the catch could officially be taken, the stumps behind Rana were disturbed—resulting in a rare hit-wicket situation.
What made the moment extraordinary was that both events—the catch and the disturbance of the stumps—happened on the same delivery. According to cricket laws, the first mode of dismissal takes precedence. In this case, the bails were dislodged before the catch was completed, meaning Rana was officially given out hit-wicket.
This led to widespread confusion, with many fans initially believing Rana had been caught out. The unusual nature of the dismissal even sparked debates online, with some questioning whether it could be considered a “double dismissal.”
HISTORY CREATE BY NITISH RANA !🤯
— lndian Sports Netwrk (@IS_Netwrk29) May 5, 2026
– Nitish Rana is a batsman who, in the history of the IPL, was once dismissed in a unique way being both hit wicket and caught out at the same ball 😭😂 pic.twitter.com/BYVUdwDFxU
Statistically, the moment turned out to be historic. Rana effectively became the first player in IPL history to be dismissed in two different ways on the same ball—though only one could be recorded officially.
Beyond the incident, the match itself saw Delhi struggle early before recovering to post a competitive total. Meanwhile, Chennai maintained control during the chase, keeping the game balanced amid the drama.
Rana’s dismissal remains one of the most unusual moments of the season, highlighting how even the smallest split-second events can create history in cricket.