Harshvardhan Mishra
Introduction: Evolution of Technology in Cricket
The third umpire is now an integral part of international cricket. Whether it’s close run-outs, LBW decisions, or boundary checks, modern cricket would be incomplete without the help of TV replays and technology.
But do you know who was the first cricketer ever to be given out by a third umpire? Let’s dive into a historic moment that marked the beginning of a new era in cricket officiating.
🏏 The Historic Moment
- 📅 Date: November 14, 1992
- 🏟️ Match: India vs South Africa
- 🏠 Venue: Kingsmead, Durban
- 🩺 Technology Used: Television Replay (TV Umpire decision)
✅ The First Player: Sachin Tendulkar
Yes, the legendary Sachin Tendulkar holds this unique record—not for a century or a milestone, but for being the first-ever batsman declared out by a third umpire.
⚖️ The Dismissal
- Dismissal Type: Run out
- Fielding Effort: Jonty Rhodes
- Third Umpire: Karl Liebenberg (South Africa)
During the second day of the Test match, Sachin attempted a risky run and a direct throw from Jonty Rhodes resulted in a very close decision. The on-field umpires referred it to the third umpire—a concept newly introduced at the time.
After reviewing the footage, third umpire Karl Liebenberg ruled him run out, making cricket history.
What Is a Third Umpire?
The third umpire is an off-field match official who uses television replays and other technology to assist the two on-field umpires in decision-making. Introduced to eliminate human errors in tight situations, the third umpire has now expanded into the Decision Review System (DRS) and includes ball-tracking, snickometer, Hawk-Eye, and more.
Evolution of Third Umpire Usage
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1992 | First use in a Test (India vs South Africa) |
| 1996 | Introduced in ODIs |
| 2008 | First trials of the DRS system |
| 2011 | DRS becomes mandatory in ICC tournaments |
| 2020s | Real-time UltraEdge, ball tracking, and AI-assisted reviews |
🧠 Why This Moment Matters
This decision signified the start of cricket’s relationship with technology. Today, the third umpire is a critical part of every major international game.
Sachin Tendulkar being part of this moment adds a fascinating footnote to his illustrious career.
🧾 Trivia & Fun Facts
- 🧢 The third umpire wears a different colored cap or headset in modern games.
- 🎥 The third umpire box is usually located near the broadcasters’ area.
- 🥇 First use of DRS was in a Test series between India and Sri Lanka in 2008.
- 🇮🇳 India was the first team to be involved in both the first third umpire decision and the first DRS usage.
