History was made at the Kerala Cricket League 2025 when Kochi Blue Tigers’ batter Alfi Francis John became the first Indian player ever to be dismissed “timed out”.
The incident unfolded during the high-voltage semi-final against Calicut Globstars at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram.
On the last ball of the 15th over, John failed to take strike within the stipulated time. The opposition appealed, and the umpire upheld it, declaring him out under the rare “timed out” rule. John accepted the decision and walked back without any protest, marking a first in Indian cricket history.
In Twenty20 (T20) cricket, the “Timed Out” rule requires a new batter to be ready to face the ball within 90 seconds of the previous dismissal. This shorter limit – compared to the 2-minute allowance in ODIs and 3 minutes in Tests – exists to maintain the rapid pace of the format. Failure to comply, if the fielding team appeals, results in the batter being ruled out.
Despite the unprecedented dismissal, Kochi Blue Tigers posted a competitive total of 186/8 in their 20 overs. Nikhil Thottath top-scored with a blistering 64 off 36 balls, while Ibnul Afthab (2/36) was the most effective bowler for Calicut Globstars.
The rare dismissal has already sparked debate across cricketing circles, adding an unforgettable twist to Indian domestic T20 cricket.