50 years ago – a photo captured the essence of that famous victory of Pongal test against mighty West Indies. It was WI Captain Clive Lloyd, slightly out of his crease, deceived the guile of Erapalli Prasanna and wicket keeper charismatic Farokh Engineer disturbing the stumps. Engineer had earlier taken a smart catch to send Viv Richards back !!
Of the many modes of dismissals – Stumping is attractive – it is a combo of the guile of a spinner and the deft smart work of the wicket keeper. When a batsman is out of crease and when the wicket-keeper dislodges the bails, the batter is out Stumped according to Law 39 of Cricket. Being "out of their ground" means no part of the batter's body, equipment or bat is touching the ground behind the crease.
Exactly this day in 2016 – I had posted this photo hailing the fleeting foot and reflex of MS Dhoni – he has aged and now 43 ! - yet at Chepauk, he enthralled everyone with a lightning reflex - - 0.12S Sky stumping.
Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad Lakanwal was not born when MSD made his ODI debut – and in his IPL debut for CSK he was delighted as he beat Suryakumar Yadav and saw MSD effecting a lightning stumping
Age withers – and somewhere read that Dhoni puts on gloves only for IPL and takes rest for almost an year or so !!
Regards – S Sampathkumar
24.3.2025
