Tendulkar walks

The contrasting actions this weekend of batting greats Ricky Ponting (waiting to be given out despite knowing he was) and Sachin Tendulkar (walking despite being given not out by umpire Steve Davis) have re-opened the never-fully-shut walking debate. It’s also a great excuse to post this video of one of the greatest ever cases of walking (at 0:36) during the 2003 World Cup semi-final and this interview of Adam Gilchrist recalling the incident.
Recognising his actions as a personal choice and keen not condemn the vast majority of cricketers who don’t walk, Gilchrist’s thoughts on the subject are spot on. Ponting should not be condemned for doing the human thing and Tendulkar deserves admiration for doing the hard thing. Whether or not he’d do the same in the knockout stages – as Gilchrist did – we may not find out, because as anyone who has played the game can verify, the act of walking plays havoc with your instincts. Multiple factors – match importance, game situation, teammates’ reaction – bombard the mind of even the most virtuous batsman, demanding a snap decision. Gilchrist walking in the 2003 World Cup semi-final remains one of the most impressive piece of sport I’ve ever seen.