NEW DELHI: On this day, 33 years ago, fans witnessed one of the most poignant moments in ODI cricket when Kapil Dev ran out Peter Kirsten at the non-striker’s end during India’s 1992-93 tour of South Africa. The incident, later labeled the textbook ‘Mankad’, happened during the second ODI at Gqeberha on December 9, 1992 — and remains one of the most talked-about dismissals of Kapil’s career.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!In the ninth over of the South African chase, Kapil spotted Kirsten repeatedly backing up too far before the ball left his hand. After warning him in the previous game, the Indian great decided he had seen enough. The Haryana hurricane slowed his pace, stopped for a moment and dropped the bails at the non-striker’s end. The referee immediately raised his finger, leaving Kirsten stunned and walking back, displeased and visibly angry.
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The drama that ensued was captured in full by the cricket cameras. South Africa captain Kepler Wessels and Kirsten exchanged some heated words with Kapil, which only provoked the Indian pacer further. An angry Kapil gestured with raised fingers, showing how many times he had warned Kirsten.While critics then debated spirit versus law, Kapil needed no warning to justify his act. Under MCC Law (now 38.3.1), the bowler may run out the non-striker at any time before the ball is released if the batsman is outside the crease. The dismissal, previously classified as “Unfair Play”, was later detached from this stigma following repeated controversies – notably when R Ashwin ran out Jose Buttler in IPL 2019. Ashwin later revealed that Kapil Dev personally supported him during the firestorm of criticism.Peter Kirsten himself admitted years later that Kapil had indeed warned him. “I’d be lying if I said Kapil didn’t warn me. Yes,” Kirsten said. He insists there are no hard feelings today. “We made up over a drink,” he joked.Watch the moment that sparked a timeless cricket debate:
Kapil Dev ManKaded Peter Kirsten | Warned in Game 1 and ManKaded out in Game 2 1992
