10 Shocking facts about Indian cricketers

6. Sachin Tendulkar was the first player to be given out by third umpire

In 1992, TV umpire was introduced in cricket during India’s first tour of South Africa after the apertheid episode. Taking on the hosts in the first Test at Kingsmead, Durban, India were fielding first. Riding on Kapil Dev’s 3/43 spell, India folded the Proteas at a low score of 254.

On Day 2, South Africa got early breakthroughs with the dimissals of Ajay Jadeja and Sanjay Manjrekar. Sachin Tendulkar joined Ravi Shastri at the crease and his responsibility was to stabilise India’s innings with his batting. At a score of 11, Tendulkar played a shot towards point to steal a run, but Jonty Rhodes, who was deployed at the area displayed his alacrity and threw the ball towards Andrew Hudson, who was standing at the stumps.

Hudson collected the ball and dislodged the bails and there was doubt among players and both on-field umpires whether Tendulkar made it or not. Cyril Mitchley, the square-leg umpire consulted the third umpire Karl Liebenberg and the latter showed the replays that revealed that Tendulkar failed it to make it on time. In the end, Liebenberg declared the right-handed batter out and with this the Master Blaster became the first player to be declared out by the third umpire.