Former England captain Nasser Hussain famously orchestrated Sachin Tendulkar’s only Test stumping, in his 200-Test long career, during England’s 2001 tour of India, in the third Test at Bengaluru.
Tendulkar, renowned for his mastery of spin and immense batting composure, got out stumped for the first time in his 143 Test innings. Hussain, then England’s captain, came up with a clever strategy to unsettle the Indian legend who was approaching a century.
During the match, Tendulkar was well-set at the crease on 90, and Hussain recognised that something unconventional was required to dismiss him.
Hussain brought left-arm spinner Ashley Giles into the attack, instructing him to bowl a defensive line well outside Tendulkar's leg stump, a tactic designed to limit his scoring options.
Frustrated by the lack of scoring opportunities, Tendulkar eventually decided to charge down the wicket and break the shackles.
In his attempt to play a more aggressive shot, Tendulkar moved out of his crease to meet the ball, but Giles had applied just enough turn to keep it away from his bat.
Wicketkeeper James Foster, alert to the moment, reacted swiftly. He gathered the ball cleanly and whipped off the bails, leaving Tendulkar stranded outside his crease.
It was a moment of precise execution by both Giles and Foster, capitalising on Tendulkar’s momentary lapse.
The dismissal became iconic, as it was the first and only time Tendulkar was stumped in his 200-Test career.
The clever bowling and strategic brilliance of Giles, combined with the team’s plan, led to one of the rarest dismissals in cricket history.
