8 moments on the cricket field which won the hearts of fans

Faf du Plessis had a very special physio in MS Dhoni as he suffered from crampsCricket is a sport which rules the heart of millions of people who are in love with this game. It is a fiercely competitive game in which every cricketer steps on to the field to only win it. However, there is something called spirit of cricket which goes beyond everything and asks every individual to play the game fairly and respect the opponents.Winning matches is important but sometimes when hearts are won, it tends to leave a more ever-lasting memory. There have been some heart-warming moments on the field of cricket which commands a different sort of admiration altogether, even if it did not end in winning causes.There are some moments that stay with you long after the trophy is lifted. Like yesterday, as Faf du Plessis from South Africa was demolishing the Indian bowling attack, the man was suffering from massive cramps. As he crashed on the field writhing in pain, the Indian captain MS Dhoni ran forward to help the batsman ease his pain, inspite of India themselves being in a miserable state, slowly being buried under a mountain of runs.From the moments of joy to the point when we are at the edge of our seats, this game has the capacity to surprise us in uncountable ways. Here is a look at eight such moments which won the hearts of millions of people:

#1 Andrew Flintoff consoling Brett Lee

Flintoff consoling Lee after England beat Australia in the 2005 Ashes

It is no mystery that the Ashes is epitomised as the fiercest battle on the 22 yards with both the English and Australian side fighting it out to the hilt. In Ashes 2005, one of the most thrilling encounters in the history of Test cricket occurred at Edgbaston in which England won the nail-biter by just two runs. Brett Lee, who was at the crease and was very close to the finish line but couldn’t win the Test for his nation as he ran out of partners.

Lee was absolutely crestfallen. When all the English cricketers were celebrating, Andrew Flintoff went up to him and consoled him, possibly speaking a few words of encouragement to the man who had almost done it. It was a heart-warming sight as any you would ever see in the game.

#2 Adam Gilchrist walking off during World Cup 2003

Adam Gilchrist (L) walked off the pitch after the umpire had given him not out

In matches like World Cup semi-finals, generally a team does not leave any stone unturned to win the match. This happened in the one between Sri Lanka and Australia in the 2003 World Cup. The wicket-keeper Sangakkara caught the ball as it chipped off Adam Gilchrist’s bat. The umpire had rejected Sri Lanka’s appeal but the Aussie legend, in a very unlike Australian way, walked off the field in spite of the match being so crucial.

His teammates were shocked with Gilly’s walk, but he upheld the spirit of the game. For players like Adam Gilchrist, fairness and integrity are way ahead of other things.

#3 MS Dhoni recalling Ian Bell

Dhoni (L) withdrew the appeal on Ian Bell (R) after the batsman was adjudged run out

India was visiting England in 2011 and this happened during the second Test match. Just before the tea break at Nottingham, Ian Bell was adjudged run-out after he thought that tea had been called and the ball was dead. He had started walking towards the pavilion but the umpires hadn’t called for tea and naturally, the Indian team didn’t waste any time in dislodging the bails.

As per the laws, Bell was out and he had walked out. However, on request of English captain Andrew Strauss, Dhoni withdrew the appeal. He could have gone the other way and refused Strauss, particularly in a match when India was struggling. This action became a testimony of how high MS Dhoni holds the spirit of the game.

#4 Sachin Tendulkar\'s acceptance of Brett Lee\'s apology

The Little Master was humble enough to accept Brett Lee's apology after being hit by a beamer

Sachin Tendulkar has literally broken most batting records in cricket history but despite all the achievements and adulation, he is extremely down to earth and is an apt picture of someone who played with the right spirit.

During a One-Day match between India and Australia, Brett Lee bowled a ferocious beamer to Tendulkar which was a nasty blow to his helmet. Luckily, it did not cause an injury. It had been an accident possibly and Lee came immediately to apologise to the Master Blaster.

Sachin rather graciously accepted his apology, not indulging in glares or sledging as the ball had slipped out of Lee’s hand rather than being an intentional attempt to hurt him.

#5 Marvan Atapattu\'s recall of Andrew Symonds

Andrew Symonds was called back to the crease after Sri Lankan captain Atapattu recalled him

Australia and Sri Lanka were engrossed in a pulsating ODI match when Atapattu’s fine gesture only strengthened the game. Andrew Symonds and Adam Gilchrist at the crease, when Symonds edged an attempted pull onto his pads. Both bowler and wicketkeeper appealed instantaneously and Peter Manuel raised his finger, even though there was an obvious nick.

Symonds was shocked but he walked. But seconds after he raised his finger, doubt had spread across Manuel's face. He consulted first with Billy Bowden, his co-umpire, and then turned to Atapattu. The Sri Lankans knew that it was an unfair decision and therefore, both Manuel and Atapattu immediately recalled the batsman, who had gone halfway across the field.

In the end, sportmanship won.

#6 Gundappa Vishwanath reprieving Bob Taylor

Gundappa Vishwanath asking Bob Taylor if he nicked the ball

This was one of the earliest incidents that set the precedent of fair cricket. During the historic ‘Jubilee Test' in Mumbai in 1980, English keeper Bob Taylor was given caught behind by the umpire but the Indian captain Gundappa Vishwanath didn’t think that Bob had actually nicked the ball. He went up to Taylor to enquire about the same.

When the batsman told him that he didn’t edge the ball, Vishwanath requested the umpire to reverse the decision. The umpire ruled him not out. It was a deed which earned him many accolades throughout the cricketing community.

#7 Grant Elliott\'s helping hand to Dale Steyn

Grant Elliott provides Dale Steyn with a helping hand

Moments after bludgeoning a six off the world's number one fast bowler Dale Steyn to win the 2015 World Cup semifinal for New Zealand, Grant Elliott lived up to the Black Caps' reputation as a ‘gentlemanly’ side showing compassion and offering words of encouragement to a disconsolate rival. The match could have gone either way and it was no secret how desperate the Proteas were to qualify for their first ever World Cup final.

But Grant Elliott proved that the spirit of cricket is beyond victory. He held his hand out to help the heartbroken Steyn get up from the ground. He acknowledged his sincere effort which unfortunately wasn’t enough to take his side over the victory line.

#8 New Zealand\'s mark of respect for Phillip Hughes

The New Zealand team observed a minute's silence in memory of young Phillip Hughes

World cricket was shrouded in grief as it lost a young, talented batsman like Phil Hughes to cricket injury. Right after his demise, New Zealand and Pakistan were playing a test series in Sharjah. The tragic death of the Aussie cricketer had affected the Black caps so much that they decided against celebrating any wicket or milestone whatsoever throughout the Test match at Sharjah in which they won comprehensively.

Both Pakistan and New Zealand teams observed a minute's silence and wore black armbands to join the world in mourning Hughes. In one of the most touching scenes in world cricket ever, the islanders placed their bats outside the team's dressing room with their national black caps on them to pay tribute to Hughes.