Ten Emotional Moments in the History of Cricket
Published - 14 Jul 2018, 06:53 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:53 PM
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Emotions run high among players in every discipline and cricket is no such exception. The level of competitiveness in professional sports has reached greater heights, and when both sides give their best, one has to end up as the second-best. Painstakingly, it is definitely hard to handle, not just for the players involved, but for the fans as well.
But transcending disappointments and failures, several distressing incidents have occurred throughout the history of cricket which will hold a place close to every cricket lover’s heart.
When these people cried, they did not cry alone – the world cried along.
Here are the ten most emotional moments in the history of cricket:
Sachin Tendulkar retiring from cricket:
To talk about adrenaline rush; excitements run high when a legend retires, and even more so when the legend is very own Sachin Tendulkar.
Tendulkar ruled world cricket over more than two decades with his spectacular batting.
To further discuss enigma, the Master Blaster broke the heart of the nation when he walked out to the pitch and touched it for a final time with tears in his eyes.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni getting emotional after 2015 World Cup exit:
Mahendra Singh Dhoni will always top the chart of cricketers who somewhat show no emotions on the ground.
However, Dhoni overcame emotions after India’s loss to Australia in the 2015 World Cup semifinal clash and wasn’t able to hide his tears.
South Africa’s 1999 World Cup semifinal:
The ever-unlucky South African faced yet another debacle at the 1999 World Cup semifinal. Requiring just one run off three deliveries with one wicket in hand, a poor attempt at a quick single between Alan Donald and Lance Klusener saw the match ended in a tie.
However, Australia went through to the finals, as they had finished higher on the Super Six table.
Don Bradman’s duck in his last innings:
The legendary Sir Donald Bradman missed out on a marvelous career average of 100 in Tests, when, requiring just four runs for the achievement.
However, he got out for a duck in his last Test innings.
South Africa’s Exit in 2015 World Cup:
South Africa was once again thwarted in the 2015 World Cup when rain played a part in reducing the target that New Zealand required in the semi-finals.
Grant Elliot, earlier been dropped by Jean-Paul Duminy struck a six on the penultimate delivery of the match, knocking out the Proteas. As a result, they were all in tears as fate continued to toy with their side in the World Cup semi-finals.
2005 Ashes, 2nd Test:
The Australian tail had wagged furiously, and Brett Lee, along with Michael Kasprowicz had taken Australia to the threshold of victory in this very closely fought tie in the second Test of 2005 Ashes.
However, a controversial decision by the umpire ensured Kasprowicz’s departure.
Lee was unable to hold back his tears, as Australia had been pegged to win the match against all odds. Owing to the sportsmanship spirit Andrew Flintoff walked towards lee to console the Aussie speedster.
India vs Sri Lanka, World Cup Semi Final, 1996:
India was cruising through at 98 for one, chasing Sri Lanka’s target of 251. Suddenly, India lost seven wickets within 22 runs. With the fall of the 8th wicket, the crowd went berserk.
Clive Lloyd, the match referee, had to abandon the match and Sri Lanka won by default. The loss saw Indian batsman Vinod Kambli leave the pitch in tears.
Craig Kieswetter’s career-ending injury:
England’s hero in the 2010 Twenty20 World Cup triumph, Craig Kieswetter decided to retire, following an unfortunate accident on the field, when the ball hit his eye and nose during a county match, back home.
He was at the hospital for a long time and never made the comeback to cricket. He cited that his reflexes will never be the same as the reason behind his retirement.
When Darkworth Lewis Method broke South Africa’s hearts
In the 1992 World Cup final, South Africa were in line to beat England in the semi-final clash, requiring 22 runs off 13 balls.
All it took was a few minutes of rain to transform the target to 22 required from one delivery. Thus, a mathematical calculation’s fault knocked the Proteas out of the coveted event. They haven’t played a World Cup final since.
Javed Miandad six off Chetan Sharma:
An unexpectedly poor delivery from an in-form Chetan Sharma cost India the title in 1986. The finals of the Austral-Asia Cup between India and Pakistan in Sharjah was a moment of great joy for one half of the crowd watching the game, and extreme dismay for the other.
With Pakistan requiring four runs to win off the last ball, there was pin drop silence on the ground. The in-form Javed Miandad struck Chetan Sharma’s juicy full toss over the ropes to crush the title hopes of India.
