5 Instances when star batsmen refused to walk even after edging the ball

Sachin Tendulkar. (Photo Source: YouTube) Regarded as the gentleman’s game, cricket has witnessed many fair play moments in its history. From teams withdrawing their appeals to batsmen walking off the field even after being declared not out– the sport has witnessed a plethora of honourable moments since its initiation. Not many people would forget the sight of Adam Gilchrist walking off the field despite being given not out. The left-hander had the custom of leaving the field as soon as he realized that he was out. Many other players like MS Dhoni and Hashim Amla are known to walk off as soon as they know that they are out. However, along with many fair moments, the sport has also witnessed instances when batsmen refused to walk in controversial circumstances, putting a question mark over the whole concept of ‘Fair play’. There have been many instances when the ball nicked a particular player’s bat and everyone, including the batsman, knew that it was out. However, due to the negligence of the umpire, the batsman was given not out and furthermore, he refused to walk the field as well. Such moments are certainly a blot on the concept of ‘Fair play‘ but the batsmen cannot be blamed either as they have the right to stick to the crease until the umpire raises his finger. Here are five such instances: 1. AB de Villiers against India The South Africa stalwart is regarded as one of the best players to have played the sport. Unorthodox shots, shifting gears according to situations and humongous sixes– the right-hander is known to enthral the audience with his performance with the willow. Furthermore, there are talks that the former South Africa skipper might come back into the national side for this year’s T20 World Cup. Regarded as one of the most loved cricketers, there was one instance in AB de Villiers’ career when he did not walk back in spite of edging the ball. In a match against India in 2007, the South African nicked the ball in the fifth over off Zaheer Khan‘s delivery. Zaheer, known for his swing ability, moved the ball away from De Villiers and the moment led the ball to edge the bat and go straight into Sachin Tendulkar’s hands at first slip. The Indian camp was ecstatic as they thought that they had shown the exit door to De Villiers. However, to their disdain, Aleem Dar was uninterested to raise his finger and De Villiers also stuck to his crease. As a result, India were denied the dismissal and the instance was termed as ‘controversial’ in AB de Villiers’ illustrious career. 2. Michael Clarke against India The Border-Gavaskar trophy has always yielded thrilling encounters for fans and along with that, there have been many controversial moments too which have hogged the spotlight. One such instance is when a young Michael Clarke refused to walk despite edging the ball towards Rahul Dravid at the first slip. The instance happened in the second Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2007-08 when Michael Clarke took the guard after the departure of Matthew Hayden. Anil Kumble hurled down a google at the Australian and in a futile attempt to cut the delivery, the Australian got a thick edge and the ball flew directly into the hands of Rahul Dravid. All the Indian players were jumped in joy but Clarke refused to leave his crease until umpire Steve Bucknor raised his finger and confirmed the right-hander’s dismissal. Anil Kumble, the Indian skipper was furious at Clarke’s behaviour and also stated in an on-ground interview that only one team was playing in the spirit of the game. 3. Andrew Symonds vs India Controversial moments between India and Australia have also been a never-ending affair. Be it sledging or umpiring fiasco, any series between the two cricketing giants always generates a lot of furore. In the 2008 Sydney Test between the Aussies and Indians, it was Andrew Symonds who hogged the spotlight due to a controversial decision. Australia’s scoreboard was reflecting 183/6 and Andrew Symonds was on 29 when Ishant Sharma’s delivery baffled the all-rounder and he nicked the ball straight into wicketkeeper MS Dhoni’s gloves. It was a noticeable nick and all the Indian players were ecstatic and believing that Symonds was shown the exit door. However, umpire Steve Bucknor had other ideas as he overlooked the dismissal and the Indian camp stood hapless on the field including a furious Ishant Sharma. To plunge more misery on the Indian camp, Symonds went on to score 162 in the innings and later, he has admitted to the fact that it was a nick which was denied by the umpire’s controversial decision. 4. Michael Vaughan against Australia Ashes have always been marred with controversial umpiring decisions in its history. One such instance happened when one of the most successful English skippers– Michael Vaughan was at the crease during the 2002-03 Ashes Test. In the second Test, Vaughan attempted to drive the ball towards point off a length delivery by Andy Bichel. But Justin Langer took a diving stunner while diving to his right to give Australia their first breakthrough in the innings. However, Vaughan refused to walk and the on-field umpire Steve Bucknor consulted the third umpire to check if Langer’s catch was legal or not. The catch was plucked by Langer only a few millimetres above the ground and to Australia’s disdain, Vaughan was given not out by the third umpire. The English skipper went on to score a staggering 177 and opined later about the incident saying– “There are times as a batsman when you are given out and you aren’t” 5. Sachin Tendulkar against Australia Sachin Tendulkar is regarded as one of the best to have played the game. The right-hander, who has etched multiple records in the history books, is widely considered as the ‘God of Cricket’. However, one such instance which questioned the Master Blaster’s fair play was against Australia despite giving a clear edge of Stuart Clarke’s delivery. Tendulkar attempted to slog the ball but ended up nicking it straight to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist. However, he refused to walk and umpire Rudy Kurston also uninterested. Both Gilchrist and Clarke were left dumbfounded by the decision as they thought that they had got the ‘big fish’. Ravi Shastri, in the commentary box, also termed Tendulkar ‘lucky’ after the decision went in the Indian stalwart’s favour.

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5 Instances when star batsmen refused to walk even after edging the ball

Along with many fair moments, the sport has also witnessed instances when batsmen refused to walk in controversial circumstances

5. Sachin Tendulkar against Australia

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