Long before MS Dhoni was in the news for his sporting gesture of recalling Ian Bell after a controversial run out in a Test match in England in 2011, Hansie Cronje had won over a jam-packed crowd in Hyderabad when he withdrew a run out appeal against Sourav Ganguly.
During the first game of the Titan Cup against South Africa in 1996 at the Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad, Sourav Ganguly was involved in a run out while attempting a sharp single off the bowling of Fanie de Villiers. However, the batsman crashed onto the bowler midway, causing him to fall to the ground. By the time the left-hander could get back up and complete the run, he had been run-out by Brian McMillan, much to the anger of the spectators.
However, in a terrific gesture, Ganguly was allowed to continue batting after South Africa captain Hansie Cronje gave the green signal to recall Ganguly to the crease. The Indian failed to take advantage of his second life, though, as he was dismissed on 31 by Allan Donald, who eventually finished with 3-43.
The Indians fell short by 47 runs, as they could manage only 214 in reply to South Africa’s 261, which was aided by brilliant fifties from Cronje and vice-captain Gary Kirsten.
Watch the run-out of Ganguly and the incredible sporting gesture by Cronje here.
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