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Journalism of Courage
As the debate on cricketing ambition and sporting spirit heightens over England’s Jonny Bairstow’s unusual dismissal in the second Test of the ongoing Ashes series, around twelve years ago, former England batter Ian Bell was in the same situation but he was then being called back by the then Indian captain MS Dhoni after his bizarre run out in the second Test of India’s England tour in 2011.
Bell was wandering out of his crease, thinking that the third day had reached tea, only to be run out by Abhinav Mukund. The Indians had appealed for Bell’s dismissal and got the umpires’ decision in their favour but decided to allow the batsman’s reinstatement during tea break when requested by Strauss and Flower.
According to a report in ‘The Daily Mail,’ India captaain MS Dhoni was refused to entertain England skipper Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower’s request for reinstating Bell.
Dhoni was asked three times on the field whether he was appealing and each time he said yes. Then when Flower and Strauss went to see Dhoni and Fletcher they said their captain insisted the decision would stand. Tendulkar was the voice in the dressing room that got Bell reinstated.
Describing Tendulkar as the “most influential person in Indian cricket”, the newspaper said, “Once Tendulkar had spoken Dhoni listened and a decision that according to the letter of the law was perfectly fair was swiftly overturned.”
“It was also one that was quickly accepted by the rest of the India side who hold their illustrious team-mate in such high regard. The England team quickly emerged on their balcony to applaud the Indians as Bell ran out after tea. By then they knew that it was Tendulkar they were applauding.”
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