Five Times When Team India Showed True Respect to their Opponents

Five Times When Team India Showed True Respect to Their Opponents

Cricket is a Gentlemen’s game. It is best played when one team shows the respect for its opponent. Yes, it is a sport and yes, winning matters, but winning in the right spirit matters even more.

A team goes out in the middle, gives its best shot, but it is also imperative to play the game in the right spirit. Thus, playing fair and hard has been the mantra.

Consequently, there are numerous occasions when Team India showed great character on the field. Thus, we take a look at five instances when the Men in Blue showed the right spirit.

Let take you on the journey of these fine instances.

MS Dhoni calling Ian Bell back

In the second Test on the England tour in 2011, MS Dhoni recalled Ian Bell.

The England batsman thought that the ball had reached the boundary lines and didn’t complete his runs with Eoin Morgan. Thus, both the players started walking off, as it was a session break.

However, as the ball didn’t the boundary cushion, Dhoni appealed, and Ian Bell got ruled run-out by the third umpire.

In fact, after requests from the England dressing room, Dhoni withdrew his appeal. Thus, Bell resumed his innings after the session interval. Therefore, MS Dhoni was able to keep the spirits of the game high.

Sachin Tendulkar walking off in the World Cup 2011 match

Sachin Tendulkar always had a big dream of winning a World Cup. 2011 mega tournament was Sachin’s last opportunity but the Master Blaster was not desperate for it.

In the 42nd match of the tournament against the Windies, Tendulkar walked off the park despite the standing umpire ruling him not out.

Ravi Rampaul had bowled a short ball, but the umpire didn’t hear the nick. However, Tendulkar showed why he was regarded as the ‘Best’ as he decided to walk off.

Dhoni Treating Faf Du Plessis injury

Dhoni is well known for playing the game in the right spirit.

In the final match of the five-match series against South Africa in 2015, MS Dhoni turned physio for his Chennai Super Kings teammate, Faf du Plessis. The Proteas batsman suffered a muscle cramp during his fine knock of 133.

However, when du Plessis was feeling immense pain, MS Dhoni attended him before the South African physio came out in the middle.

Thus, MS Dhoni showed why he is a true gentleman of the game. However, India went on to lose that match and, thus the five-match series 3-2.

Vishwanath asked Bob Taylor to bat again

Gundappa Vishwanath showed great sportsman spirit when he asked England’s Bob Taylor to bat again.

The incident happened in the 1980 series. Bob was given out by the umpire. However, he didn’t nick the ball. In fact, the bat had hit the pads, and thus the official was fooled.

However, Vishwanath walked up to Taylor to confirm with the batsman. Taylor told the Indian captain that he didn’t edge it. Thus, Vishwanath went to the umpire and asked him to reverse his decision. It was a great gesture from the then Indian skipper.

Ajinkya Rahane Asks Afghanistan side for a group photo.

It was a great gesture from the Indian team.

Generally, we notice teams celebrating their series win solely. However, Ajinkya Rahane, the stand-in captain asked the Afghanistan players to pose for the group photo after India won the historic Test match.

India was too strong for Afghanistan, as they registered their biggest win in Tests by an inning and 262 runs.

It was a fine gesture from the Indian team for the debutant Afghanistan team. Therefore, Rahane and team India were able to win hearts all over the world.