From Dhoni Calling Bell Back To Rohit Withdrawing Mankading Appeal By Shami: Top 10 Moments Of Sportsmanship Spirit In Cricket - In Pics

Just before the Tea break at Nottingham, Ian Bell was ruled out after mistakenly assuming that tea had been called and the ball was dead. He began walking towards the pavilion, but the umpires hadn't actually called for tea, and the Indian team quickly removed the bails. According to the laws, Bell was out, but at the request of English captain Andrew Strauss, Dhoni withdrew the appeal. Despite India's struggles in the match, Dhoni's act exemplified his unwavering commitment to the spirit of the game and moral values.

In high-stakes matches like the World Cup semi-finals, teams usually go all out to secure a victory. However, there are players like Adam Gilchrist who prioritize fairness and integrity above all else. In a surprising departure from the typical Australian approach, the legendary Aussie walked off the field even after the umpire had dismissed Sri Lanka's appeal. His teammates were astonished by Gilchrist's decision, but he upheld the spirit of the game. On many occasions, the Australian team had sacrificed sportsmanship in order to win games.

The West Indian great Courtney Walsh demonstrated extraordinary sportsmanship when he chose to lose a match rather than compromising the spirit of the game. This refers to the World Cup 1987 match between Pakistan and West Indies, where Pakistan needed 2 runs off the final ball. Walsh could have easily run out Jaffar, who was backing up too far at the non-striker's end, but he refrained from doing so. As a result, Pakistan won the match and advanced to the semi-finals of the World Cup.

In a thrilling match between New Zealand and Zimbabwe, a collision occurred between New Zealand's Daniel Vettori and Zimbabwean batsman Malcolm Waller, resulting in the non-striker being run out as he stood in the middle of the pitch. However, Vettori promptly withdrew the appeal for the run-out, admitting his mistake to the umpires. This act of sportsmanship later earned him the Spirit of Cricket award.

It is a rare occurrence to witness a player helping or advising an opponent during a match. Yet, the West Indian batting great Rohan Kanhai consistently provided guidance to Sunil Gavaskar when the latter faced challenges from the West Indian fast bowlers during live matches. The Little Master held immense respect for Kanhai, to the extent that he named his son after him. The mutual admiration and support between these two players was truly remarkable.

In a classic incident of sportsmanship on the cricket field, Bob Taylor was given out caught behind by the umpire. However, Indian captain Gundappa Vishwanath doubted the decision and approached Taylor to inquire about the edge. When Taylor confirmed that he hadn't touched the ball, Vishwanath requested the umpire to reverse the decision, resulting in Taylor being ruled not out. This act earned Vishwanath widespread acclaim within the cricketing community.

During the 2015 World Cup quarter-final match, Nuwan Kulasekara was declared not out by the umpire. With no reviews remaining for the South African team, Kulasekara could have chosen to stay at the crease. However, he chose to walk off, emphasizing his commitment to playing the game with dignity and respect. Despite being a valuable lower-order batsman, Kulasekara prioritized the spirit of cricket over personal gains.

In an ODI match against New Zealand, the Kiwi bowler Jacob Oram delivered a dangerous beamer that struck Shahid Afridi on his shoulders. Despite being in significant pain, Afridi displayed admirable sportsmanship by patting Oram on the back and accepting his apology, defusing any potential conflict. Afridi, known for his fiery on-field demeanour, showcased a remarkable level of maturity and sportsmanlike behaviour.

After winning the 2015 World Cup quarter-final match, the South African team celebrated their first-ever victory in an eliminator match with great joy. However, they remained gracious in their triumph. Quinton de Kock displayed respect for Kumar Sangakkara by immediately embracing him, and acknowledging his admiration for the Sri Lankan player. AB de Villiers also paid tribute to Mahela Jayawardene by hugging him and congratulating both legends on their illustrious careers, as Sanga and Mahela were set to retire at the end of Sri Lanka's World Cup 2015 journey.

During the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on January 11, 2023, Rohit Sharma chose to withdraw the appeal after Mohammed Shami ran out Dasun Shanaka towards the end of the innings. Sri Lanka was chasing a daunting target of 374, and while Indian bowlers had the upper hand, skipper Shanaka exhibited excellent form and continued accumulating runs. When Shanaka was on 98*, Shami attempted the run-out, but Rohit Sharma's gesture of allowing Shanaka to complete his century won widespread admiration. Shanaka promptly responded by hitting the next ball over the fence to reach a well-deserved hundred.