10 Times Cricketers Made Their Fans Smile

The game of cricket portrays emotions in a beautiful canvas. The reactions of each team that plays the game is mirrored by its fans on a huge scale.Cricketers have immense potential to draw out emotions from the spectators of the sport, and their actions can make the entire world beam with joy, be it a cheeky gesture on-field, a witty remark during the presentation ceremony, a show of sportsmanship, or even an expressive celebration.Here’s a look at 10 times cricketers made their fans smile:

#1 Merv Hughes\' warms the crowd up

The ‘Crowd Stretch’ of Merv Hughes remains a moment that fans recollect with a smile

Famously known as “The Gentle Giant”, Australian pacer Merv Hughes was known for his charming and bubbly personality on the field and off it as well. In an Australia-England ODI, Merv proceeded to perform a few warm up exercises, which the crowd behind him imitated, with wide grins on their faces.

#2 Ronny Irani\'s \'Crowd Stretch\' tribute to Merv Hughes

Ronnie Irani rekindled memories of the vivacious Merv Hughes and his hilarious antics

And here was English all-rounder Ronnie Irani’s tribute to the ever-animated Merv Hughes. Although England’s defeat to Australia in that particular ODI was certain, Irani knew how to keep the crowd entertained, and did a Hughes, with a few stretches on the pitch. The spectators were only too happy to follow.

#3 The Pollard-Dhoni Incident

Dhoni’s smart reply to Pollard’s ‘pull-out’ gimmick put a smile on the faces of every spectator at the stadium

Pollard’s habit of pulling out of deliveries at the last moment has never been received well by spectators of the game. In an IPL match against the Chennai Super Kings, this gimmick of Pollard’s was given an apt reply on the very next delivery by CSK skipper M.S Dhoni, who pulled away at the last second of Pollard’s run-up.

#4 Darren Sammy\'s \'Cradle the baby\' celebration

Sammy’s unique celebration of the birth of his child was a feel-good moment for fans of the game

The Sunrisers allrounder dedicated his first T20 fifty to his newly born daughter. He took out a baby pacifier tied around his neck and sucked on it while doing a cradling jig on the pitch. His ‘baby dance’ went on to become a common sight through the season.

#5 Dhoni\'s quip to Ravi Shastri

The young skipper’s tongue-in-cheek quip was a moment of joy for Indian fans, who idolised Captain Cool

The rise of a youth icon for India in MS Dhoni was evident, when following India’s victory against Australia in the 2007 T20 WC semi-final, despite Ravi Shastri’s forecast of the Aussies being the favorites, Dhoni said to Shastri “Today I think me and the boys, we proved you wrong”, with a beaming smile.

#6 Ajit Agarkar raises his bat after a single

Ajit Agarkar’s bat raise was more due to the relief of finally having scored a run than anything else

During an India-Australia Test at Brisbane in 2003, Ajit Agarkar was batting on the back of seven ducks in his last seven games. When he got off the mark, a smiling Agarkar raised his bat to tumultous applause and wide grins from the crowd.

#7 Grant Elliot consoles Dale Steyn, World Cup 2015

The Kiwi right-hander’s sportsmanlike gesture is a cherished memory of the World Cup for many

Grant Elliot’s six off the penultimate delivery of Steyn’s over in the 2015 World Cup Semifinal ensured that South Africa failed yet again to qualify for a World Cup final. Elliot however, gave even the Proteas fans something to smile about in their moment of utter despair, as he helped Steyn up and consoled him with a hug.

#8 Adam Gilchrist - The Aussie who walked, 2003 WC semifinal

Gilchrist’s ‘walking incident’ set the precedent for batsmen to play the game fairlyCaption

The 2003 World Cup Semifinal between Australia and Sri Lanka was famous for having the first well-known precedent of a batsman walking back despite not being given out. Gilchrist edged an Aravinda-de-Silva delivery to the keeper, and walked off, despite umpire Rudi Koertzen denying Sri Lanka the wicket.

The incident was a heartwarming one that showed that the game was meant to be played fair and square.

#9 Dhoni recalls Ian Bell

MS Dhoni has always been known to rise above the constraints of rules

In a contentious run-out that threatened to erupt into a controversy, Ian Bell was dismised at the stroke of tea in an India-England Test in 2011, as he didn’t complete a run before the end of play. Dhoni’s magnanimous decision to recall Bell was much appreciated, and brought happiness to cricket fans world over.

#10 Gilchrist\'s Gangnam Style celebration

Gilchrist’s unusual celebration after his first career wicket evoked heartfelt joy from every fan of the sport

One of the most loved cricketers in the world, and among the best without a doubt, Gilchrist’s swansong couldn’t have gone much better. On his first and last delivery as a bowler in his magnificent career, Gilly snared Harbhajan Singh in a MI-KXIP game, and won his side the match.

The Aussie unleashed the child within, and celebrated with a Gangnam Style dance that will remain etched in the hearts of fans forever.