WARDROBE Collection

In a career spanning almost two decades, Australian umpire Daryl Harper became a veteran of 95 Tests, 174 ODIs and 10 T20Is. However, he is more often than not remembered for a dismissal that has since become synonymous with his name.

Adelaide Oval in 1999 was the venue when Harper declared Sachin Tendulkar out after the Master Blaster was hit on the shoulder while ducking into a Glenn McGrath bouncer. Unsurprisingly, he also became one of the most hated figures in India for that one particular decision. Recalling the incident, Harper admitted that he still stands by it and was probably the right decision.

“You may be disappointed to know that I’m still extremely proud of that decision because I considered the action before me and applied the Law without fear or favour.”

“Sachin was the Indian captain at that time and ICC officials informed me that he didn’t note that decision when he assessed my performance on the standard post-match paperwork.”

“In December 2018, I met Indian selector MSK Prasad during lunch at Adelaide Oval during the Australia-India Test match. We probably hadn’t seen each other since that Test 20 years earlier at the same beautiful ground. MSK was the Indian wicketkeeper, playing in his fourth Test when he took six catches in the match.”

“Sachin said he was out…Sachin said he was out,” the Indian selector exclaimed excitedly. “Well, I thought he was too,” I confirmed.”