Watch- Cricket's Most Bizarre Dismissal Ever? USA’s Pooja Ganesh Recreates Bairstow-Like Stumping

USA's Pooja Ganesh stumping vs Italy. [Source - X]

In cricket, over the years we have seen some of the most unique and bizarre moments unfold on the field, and USA women’s team wicketkeeper Pooja Ganesh added another on Friday with a Bairstow-like stumping, reminding many of Jonny Bairstow’s famous Ashes dismissal.

It was one of those incidents that left players and fans puzzled at first glance, much like the Jonny Bairstow Ashes moment, as a split-second lapse turned into a wicket. Such moments spark debate around awareness, alertness, and the ever-discussed spirit of cricket.

Pooja Ganesh Pulls Off Unusual Stumping in USA Women’s Win Over Italy

USA Women wicketkeeper Pooja Ganesh  produced one of the most unusual stumpings seen in international cricket during her side’s win over Italy Women. The moment came in Match 10 of the ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy in Rwanda, catching everyone completely off guard.

The incident unfolded in the ninth over of Italy’s chase of 147 runs. Italy’s number seven batter Himanshi Daluwatta attempted a big slog against the USA pacer Suhani Thadani but missed the ball completely, with it going through cleanly to the wicketkeeper behind the stumps.

Watch the video below:

Peter Della Penna

@PeterDellaPenna

USA Women wk Pooja Ganesh pulled off one of the more unusual stumpings you'll see in international cricket in today's win over Italy. It's one that will surely make the spirit of cricket purists start losing their minds. But it looked A-Okay in my book vs. a sleepy Italy batter.

Apr 24, 2026, 7:56 PM

After missing the shot, Daluwatta remained outside the crease and casually repeated her stroke, seemingly unaware of her position. She did not realize she had stepped beyond the legal line, creating a rare opportunity that does not often appear in matches.

Pooja Ganesh, who had been standing back for the pacer, reacted quickly. She ran forward after gathering the ball cleanly and broke the stumps in time. The batter looked completely unaware, making it a bizarre yet smart stumping as Italy lost their sixth wicket at 40.

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A Repeat of Jonny Bairstow’s Controversial Ashes 2023 Dismissal

Pooja Ganesh’s stumping against Italy quickly takes us back to the controversial Jonny Bairstow dismissal during the 2023 Ashes at Lord’s, where Alex Carey broke the stumps after Bairstow stepped out of his crease.

Similar scenes unfolded here, but this time the Italy batter was caught unaware outside the crease, allowing Pooja Ganesh to act swiftly. While both dismissals were within the laws, Pooja Ganesh’s sharp awareness once again reignited discussions around concentration and game awareness.

Was It Legal? Umpires Rule in Favor of Pooja Ganesh’s Smart Stumping

There was no doubt over the legality of Himanshi Daluwatta’s dismissal, as the umpires ruled it out without hesitation. The batter had not regained her ground, and the ball was still in play, making Pooja Ganesh’s quick thinking completely within the laws of cricket.

At just 18 years old, Pooja Ganesh showed impressive awareness to catch Italy’s Himanshi Daluwatta off guard. It was a sharp piece of wicketkeeping that highlighted her presence of mind in a situation where many might not have reacted as quickly.

The moment proved crucial in the game as USA went on to bowl Italy out for 74 runs, sealing a convincing 72-run win. While it sparked discussions, Ganesh’s unusual stumping remained one of the biggest highlights of the match.

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