Video: When Ganguly almost became the first batsman in international cricket to get timed out

It took Sourav Ganguly 6 minutes to reach the crease in 2007 Test at Cape Town

In 2007, on the fourth day of the 3^rd Test between South Africa and India in Cape Town, Sourav Ganguly almost became the first batsman ever to get timed out in international cricket.

The rule states that any batsman, arriving later than 3 minutes to the crease at the fall of a wicket, will be deemed ‘timed out’.

It took Sourav Ganguly 6 minutes to come out of the pavilion, leaving everyone confused.

The reason of delay

On Day 3 of the Test, Sachin Tendulkar had spent 18 minutes off the field. For any break from the field of more than 8 minutes, the batsman had to spend an equivalent time in the dressing room before he’s eligible to bat. Hence, Sachin could only bat after first 18 minutes of the Indian innings.

But 2 wickets fell in the first 13 minutes, and the Indian dressing room wasn’t aware of this.

Ganguly then had to pad up quickly. By the time he reached, 6 minutes had elapsed. Umpire Daryl Harper explained the situation to South African captain Graeme Smith who decided not to appeal in the spirit of the game.