Sachin Not Out Despite Edge — 2011 WC Semi-Final

The 2011 Cricket World Cup was hosted jointly by India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. For India, the tournament carried immense national significance — it was widely viewed as Sachin Tendulkar's last chance to win the one trophy that had eluded him in his illustrious 22-year career.

India's semi-final opponent was Pakistan, setting up one of cricket's most anticipated matches at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali. The game drew a global audience and an attendance of over 35,000, with hundreds of millions watching on television. Both Prime Ministers — Manmohan Singh of India and Yousuf Raza Gilani of Pakistan — attended the match in a landmark piece of cricket diplomacy.

In this charged atmosphere, every decision involving Sachin Tendulkar was amplified to an extraordinary degree. His dismissal or survival could feel like the turning of a war's tide. The umpiring scrutiny under those circumstances was intense and lasting.

Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first. They posted 260/7, a competitive but chaseable total. Saeed Ajmal was Pakistan's chief bowling threat — a mystery spinner who had troubled many top batsmen during the tournament.

When India began their chase, Tendulkar opened alongside Virender Sehwag. Early in Tendulkar's innings, Saeed Ajmal bowled a delivery that drew an edge — Pakistan appealed, umpire gave not out, and Shahid Afridi chose not to use a DRS review. TV replays suggested a clear edge.

Tendulkar went on to score 85, batting India into a commanding position. Whether the umpire's decision and Afridi's failure to review changed the match's outcome became the central question in every post-match discussion.

In the 2011 World Cup semi-final at Mohali, Sachin Tendulkar was reprieved multiple times during his innings of 85. Most controversially, he was given not out to a caught-behind appeal off Saeed Ajmal when he appeared to edge the ball.

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi chose not to use the DRS review, a decision that was widely criticized. The review system was available, and replays suggested there was a clear edge. Tendulkar went on to play a crucial role in India's successful chase of 232.

Other decisions also went India's way during the match. Pakistan felt they were on the wrong end of close calls throughout, though India dominated with both bat and ball overall.

The match ended with India winning by 29 runs and advancing to the final, which they won against Sri Lanka in Mumbai. For Pakistan fans, the umpiring decisions — particularly Afridi's failure to review Tendulkar's edge — remain a source of frustration.

“We should have reviewed it. I made a mistake and I accept that. It is my fault.”

“I was not sure if I had hit it. I stood there and waited for the umpire's decision.”

“That one review could have changed everything. But cricket is about moments, and India seized theirs.”

“Sachin scoring 85 in a World Cup semi-final against Pakistan — that is why he is the greatest.”

India won the semi-final by 29 runs and went on to defeat Sri Lanka in the Mumbai final to win the 2011 World Cup — Tendulkar's first and only 50-over World Cup triumph. The team carried him on their shoulders at the Wankhede Stadium in an iconic sporting image.

For Pakistan, the semi-final defeat was agonizing. Afridi's decision not to review the Tendulkar edge was dissected repeatedly in Pakistani media. It was compared to Australia's failure to review the No Ball in the 2003 World Cup final. Critics called it a catastrophic lapse in tactical awareness that may have cost Pakistan the match.