4 most courageous acts in cricket

A never say die attitude is what makes great athletes. Cricket with it's three largely different formats has all the elements in it to test an individual's strength, agility, willpower, and endurance. There are moments in the game when even after suffering an injury during the game, the player has to continue playing for the team.

Over the years there have been several such instances wherein a player has conquered over excruciating pain for the team. Such gritty and iron-willed individuals make the game of cricket not just entertaining but also inspiring.

Cricket is a game of brave-hearts and there have been numerous occasions when cricketers have displayed their courage on the field. Taking into account the context of the game I have cherry picked 4 such instances when an individual has defeated pain and performed for the team either with the bat or with the ball or both.

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#4 When Ross Taylor hobbled to 181*

With his cheeky 'tongue poking' celebration on scoring a hundred, Ross Taylor of New Zealand is one of the most underrated players. Taylor has a freewheeling batting style mostly dependent on hand-eye coordination. He has played several match-winning knocks for New Zealand throughout his career but the recent knock of 181* against England in March this year was perhaps the most special innings that Taylor has ever played.

It was a must-win encounter for the Black Caps as they were trailing 2-1 in the 5-match series against England. Ross Taylor had missed the third ODI due to a quad injury in his right leg and was not a 100 percent fit going into the fourth ODI. But when the situation demanded Taylor stood up albeit hobbling on one foot for the most part of the innings.

Chasing a mammoth 335, New Zealand started off poorly with Guptill and Munro getting ducks. Taylor scored a brilliant 181* that saw the team home. His innings included 17 fours and 6 sixes. This means that the valiant and resolute Taylor managed to pick an unbelievable 77 runs in singles and doubles limping on one leg.

#3 When Anil Kumble bowled with a broken jaw

Anil Kumble bowled with a broken jaw against West Indies in 2002

In the fourth Test match of India's tour of West Indies (2002), while batting at no.7, Kumble was hit on the jaw by Merv Dillion resulting in severe bleeding and seriously injuring his jaw bone. Despite being in intense pain, Kumble continued to bat for another 20 minutes and also came out on the field to bowl 14 overs straight. He managed to trick the genius Brian Lara and got him out in the courageous spell of 14 overs.India's highest wicket-taker and one of the greatest spinners of all time Anil Kumble was not a big turner of the ball. It was his sharp wit, ability to read the batsman's mind and unerring accuracy that helped him scalp 619 wickets in test matches. Fondly nicknamed 'Jumbo' after one of his deliveries took off like a 'Jumbo Jet' - Anil Kumble showed 'Jumbo' courage when he walked out to bowl with a broken jaw.

He underwent a surgery the next day. Although the match resulted in rather a boring draw, the image of Kumble tirelessly bowling with a broken jaw will keep resonating in the minds of cricket fans.

#2 When Graeme Smith almost saved the match with a broken hand

Graeme Smith batted with a broken hand and an injured elbow

Regarded as the bravest man of South Africa, Graeme Smith got the whole SCG on its feet when he came out to bat at the no.11 position with a broken hand and an injured right elbow in order to save the Test match for his team. Smith had no plans to bat given the magnitude of his injury and had not carried his kit on day 5 of the match. But then came the situation where it was just 8.3 overs left in the day's play and South Africa lost their 9th wicket. Against all odds, Smith decided to take the risk. He borrowed a shirt from Jacques Kallis and went out to bat.

Smith was keen on leaving the deliveries which the Aussies soon realized and started bowling at the stumps. With every ball that Smith defended, the agony was building but he stood on the crease grimacing through the pain.

Smith and Ntini took it ball by ball gradually closing in towards a draw but unfortunately with just 11 deliveries to spare, Smith was out bowled by Mitchell Johnson. South Africa did lose the game but the influential and inspiring captain Graeme Smith won many hearts that day.

#1 When Yuvraj Singh vomited blood but won the match for India

Yuvraj Singh's performances during 2011 WC were inspiring

'When the going gets tough, the tough get going' - a phrase that fits perfectly for one of the most outstanding all-rounders of all-time Yuvraj Singh. The motivating story of Yuvraj Singh's fight with cancer and then making a comeback into the international side is worthy of a salute.

Just prior to the group match against West Indies in the 2011 World Cup, Yuvraj Singh started vomiting blood, had a chronic cough problem and was not able to eat. In spite of being advised to rest for the match, the lion-hearted Yuvraj Singh decided to continue and managed to score a match-winning century. Apart from scoring 113 runs he also picked up 2 wickets and was adjudged the Man-of-the-Match for his performance.

The health problems continued to intensify but Yuvraj refused to be bogged down by it. He continued to give scintillating performances with the bat and ball throughout the tournament guiding India to a historic World Cup win.