Media365
Indian cricket has witnessed its fair share of questionable umpiring decisions over the years, but one call continues to stand out as uniquely baffling. It came in 2007 during an India vs South Africa match at the Belfast Oval, when veteran umpire Aleem Dar made a decision that still sparks debate nearly two decades later. Aleem Dar, widely respected and long considered one of the finest umpires the game has produced, was at the centre of a moment that perfectly illustrated the saying that even the very best can err. South Africa’s young batting prodigy AB de Villiers, then just 23, was given a huge let-off despite clearly edging the ball when he was yet to open his account.
The match was a rain-affected encounter, reduced to 31 overs per side. South Africa were already in trouble at 8 for 2, having lost Jacques Kallis and opener Morne van Wyk for ducks. On the first delivery of the fifth over, Zaheer Khan delivered a ball that de Villiers nicked sharply. The edge flew to Sachin Tendulkar at second slip, who completed a clean catch. There was little ambiguity about the dismissal. The sound of the edge was loud enough to be picked up by the stump microphone, and the deviation off the bat was clearly visible. It was the sort of wicket that rarely requires deliberation. Yet, to the astonishment of the Indian players, Dar ruled de Villiers not out. The reaction on the field said it all. Tendulkar stood visibly stunned, while captain Sourav Ganguly and the rest of the fielding side looked on in disbelief as the umpire remained firm in his decision. De Villiers eventually went on to score 15 before being dismissed, and India went on to win the series 2-1. Still, the moment has endured as one of the most talked-about incidents of de Villiers’ career, even 18 years on.
Herschelle Gibbs post
Herschelle Gibbs, who was at the non-striker’s end at the time, later admitted that he too was shocked by the decision. Responding to a video of the incident on X, Gibbs recalled, “I was at the other end, couldn’t believe what I was seeing. AB said he hit his pads.” The Belfast series, played for the Future Cup, came in the immediate aftermath of India’s disastrous 2007 World Cup campaign. Following Greg Chappell’s dismissal, India travelled to Ireland without a head coach, with Rahul Dravid continuing as captain. Despite the turbulence, Sachin Tendulkar emerged as the standout performer, earning the Player of the Series award after scoring 200 runs, including knocks of 99 and 93 in the first two matches, and also chipping in with two wickets.
