![[WATCH] IND vs SA 2025: Umpire Rohan Pandit down in pain as Sanju Samson's drive hits knee](https://cricketmood.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/BU-2025-12-19T194824.541.jpg "[WATCH] IND vs SA 2025: Umpire Rohan Pandit down in pain as Sanju Samson's drive hits knee 1")
On-field umpire Rohan Pandit was unable to get out of the ball’s path in time, when a strong drive by Sanju Samson down the ground ricocheted off bowler Donovan Ferreira’s hand and onto his right knee. Pandit fell down and screamed in anguish during India’s fifth T20I against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The incident occurred on the fourth ball of the ninth over, with India batting first in the final match of the series. After an adventurous start to the over, in which Tilak Varma had already scored a few of boundaries, Samson attempted to push the charge even further into Ferreira, hitting a full-length ball straight back towards the bowler.
However, the bowler attempted to grab the ball but was unsuccessful since the ball struck Rohan Pandit knee.
The Indian team’s physio raced to the ground and treated the on-field umpire. Samson and the other players on the pitch also checked to see if the umpire was okay. After a brief halt in play, Pandit was back on his feet, and the game continued. However, it sparked concerns about the safety of on-field umpires, as any physical blow can result in severe injury.
Check the video of the incident here
Samson brother don’t hit the Umpire, we are already against the Universe 😭#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/urTYzZmGQt
— బాలు (@balu_holic) December 19, 2025
Notably, Samson played his first innings in the five-match series, as a leg injury to Shubman Gill allowed him to make a comeback into the side. The Kerala-born opened alongside Abhishek Sharma, and was part of India’s most successful first-wicket partnership of the series, where the duo added 63 runs for the opening wicket.
Samson also outclassed Gill’s tally of runs across the series with just one outing, as he smashed a promising 22-ball 37 at Motera to put the Men in Blue in a commanding position to win the series.
Samson had been running out of the Playing XI for quite some time, while the vice-captain was continuously backed to open despite a poor run of form. The Indian team is due to play the T20 World Cup 2026 to defend their title in a couple of months’ time, and thus, it will be interesting to see if Samson gets priority to open over Gill. The preliminary squad for the 20-team event will be revealed by BCCI on Saturday.
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