5 spirit of Cricket moments from IPL history
Over the past seasons of the Indian Premier League, we have witnessed everything. From swashbuckling knocks to game-changing bowling spells, from last-ball finishes to super over madness, from brilliant hundreds to wonderful hat-tricks, from sensational catches to mind-boggling run-outs, the IPL has had everything. But what makes this lucrative league so memorable?
True sportsmanship.
Yes, you heard it right. True sportsman spirit makes it more memorable, and moments like these bridge the gap between nations and leave a long-lasting memory in the minds of all cricket lovers.
Here are five moments from the IPL that will make every cricket lover's heart melt.
#5 Buttler and Parthiv decide not to run
Mumbai openers Jos Buttler and Parthiv Patel were going hammer and tongs at the Wankhede against a decent KKR bowling attack when suddenly the former miscued a Chris Woakes slower one. The ball fell a few yards away from Chris Lynn, who, while attempting the catch, landed awkwardly and hurt his shoulder.
He grimaced in pain and cried for help. To everyone's astonishment, the umpires did not signal a dead ball. While everyone was worried about the Queenslander's condition, nobody noticed that both the Mumbai batsmen decided not to run. Full marks to Jos and Parthiv.
#4 Steyn appreciating ABD's special knock
In an IPL game in 2014, RCB required 28 runs off the final two overs, and SRH skipper handed the in-form Steyn the ball to bowl the penultimate over. What transpired after that was something extraordinary by RCB's AB de Villiers who plundered his fellow countryman for 23 runs in an over and, in the process, guided his team to an extraordinary victory.
The victory was sweet, but what made it sweeter was Steyn going over to de Villiers, wrapping his arm around the man of the moment and congratulating his fellow South African for his magnificent effort. This moment will forever remain etched in our memories.
#3 Suresh Raina consoles Rishabh Pant
Gujarat Lions set Delhi a daunting target of 209 in a game last season following which Delhi openers Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant got the team off to a flying start. The Gujarat bowling attack looked hapless, and just when Pant was nearing his maiden IPL century, he nicked one to Dinesh Karthik and fell three runs short of a well deserved hundred.
He couldn't believe his eyes and stood there dismayed for a minute. While making his way back to the pavilion, the Gujarat skipper Suresh Raina walked up to the young man, patted his back and consoled the Delhi lad. Ten out of ten for Suresh.
#2 Gautam Gambhir gives away his MOM award to Debabrata Das
Gautam Gambhir led from the front and scored a gritty 63 off 52 deliveries against CSK in an IPL match in 2012 on a slow and sluggish wicket, which helped his team get the better of the two-time IPL Champions in their backyard.
But this match is not remembered for his knock but for what he did after the game. Gambhir, despite being declared the Man of the Match, called upon relatively unknown Debabrata Das and handed the award to him. Das had played a 4-ball 11-run cameo, which included the winning hit.
Gambhir later stated that Das deserved the MoM award more than him because he was the one who finished the game for the side.
#1 Hashim Amla walks off despite the fielding team not appealing
Put into bat on a decent batting wicket, Punjab knew they needed their in-form opener Hashim Amla to give them a good start, but it was not to be. The man from South Africa seemed to have nicked one in the first over itself off RCB's Aniket Choudhary. Both the bowler and the wicketkeeper did not appeal, but Amla walked off, knowing that he had hit the ball. How about that for honesty?
His honesty did not prove costly at all for his team as Punjab, who managed to score only 139 runs, did exceedingly well with the ball to restrict a batting heavy RCB side to just 119 and win the game comfortably at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Amla's honesty will be remembered for a long, long time.