5 Indian cricketers who became great friends with cricketers of other nationalities

Sport bridges the gap between any country as it breaks down geographical barriers uniting sportsmen of different nationalities in a unique bond of friendship.

For cricketers, earlier, international games and county cricket would be the means of bonding. However, with the advent of T20 matches, and the rise of the various leagues around the globe, the players get to know each other more closely.

Since the induction of the Indian Premier League (IPL), cricketers have found a new platform to make friendships across borders. Other T20 leagues such as the Big Bash League in Australia, the Carribean Premier League in West Indies, quickly followed suit after noticing the success of IPL.

We all know about Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne’s friendship and the bonding of Yuvraj Singh and KevIn Pietersen, a few other Indian cricketers have befriended overseas players over time.

Here is a list of Indian cricketers who forged friendships with players from other countries.

#5 Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle

Two batting greats who are completely different in their batting styles, their friendship flourished during the Indian Premier League.

When West Indian power-hitter, Chris Gayle, joined the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2011, Indian batting mainstay Virat Kohli was one of the upcoming talents of the game. The two hit it off as soon as they met due to their resembling attitudes and became great friends.

While Virat Kohli has since gone on to become one of the best batsmen currently, Chris Gayle continues to punish bowling attacks across the world in the various T20 leagues.

The two admire each other and had earlier praised each other openly. Kohli commented, "Chris takes a lot of pride playing for RCB. He has been a standout player for us."

Gayle had taken to Twitter to hail the Indian's batting prowess after a superlative batting performance by Kohli and AB de Villiers.

#4 Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers

AB and Virat complement each other when the play together

The two are rivals when they face each other in national colours. However, when they come together for IPL side Royal Challengers Bangalore, the world gets to witness their bromance.

The Proteas captain who plays under Kohli's stewardship in the IPL, forms the spine of RCB's batting along with the Indian and Gayle. Not just their great partnerships together, but the way they gel on the field shows the bond between the two players.

They are both admirers of each others’ achievements and get along off the field as well, hanging out together more often than not during the IPLs.

Their alliance off the field also helps them complement each other while batting together and are any bowling opposition's nightmare when in full swing. Kohli recently shared an image of the South African and himself and had this to say:

“Very few people in my life have connected with me like my dear friend AB and i share the most wonderful bond with this great man. So much to learn from him all the time. If you ever want a role model for any walk of life, he is IT.” Certainly, best friends for life!

#3 Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara

Tendulkar and Lara in a Wimbledon match in 2010

Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar are considered two of the greatest batsmen of their generation. Despite their rivalry, the duo have maintained a good friendship on and off the field.

While most cricket followers have tried to decide who the better batsman is between the pair, the two legends have acknowledged their personal bond and have tried to be present for each other’s personal milestones as well.

Lara even went on to say that he would want his son to idolise Sachin Tendulkar while batting. Speaking in 2010, the West Indian legend had this to say, “In the past I have picked up many DVDs on Sachin and looked at the way Sachin bats and his composure. And if I had a son, I would definitely want to see him bat like Sachin."

#2 Ravi Shastri and Wasim Akram

They hosted a show together called the Shaz and Waz show

Ravi Shastri, the glamour boy of Indian cricket in the late 80s, and Pakistan great, Wasim Akram, together hosted a show together on a popular channel called the Shaz and Waz show. However, it was soon clear that there was tremendous off-screen chemistry too, between Shaz (Ravi Shastri) and Waz (Wasim Akram).

They “are more than just co-hosts of a show ", the two had been close friends for almost two decades. More importantly, they share a healthy respect for each other's knowledge of the game.

When inquired about their best moment on a cricket pitch, they voiced in union that it was the tied Test between India and Pakistan in Bangalore in 1987.

Although the show was not the greatest success back then, it did highlight that both players enjoyed each other’s company. After all, you don’t get to see a Pakistani and an Indian host a TV show too often, and do quite well!

#1 Sunil Gavaskar and Imran Khan

Gavaskar and Imran were friends off the pitch

Given the two neighbouring countries' history, no one expected that Sunil Gavaskar and Imran Khan would be friends.

The two nations have been bitter enemies since the partition, and the two had faced each other a number of times on the cricket field.

Cricket fans would turn up in numbers to witness their rivalry, and their hearts would be filled with euphoria as Gavaskar took stance to face the former Pakistan captain.However, both men have acknowledged that they were very good friends during their playing days.

The two also laud each others' abilities on the field and are great friends off the field despite their nations always facing problems in coming to terms with each other. Imran even went on to state that Gavaskar was actually better than Sachin Tendulkar.

“Sachin never played an innings like Gavaskar did. Look, Gavaskar faced a West Indies attack that had four world class fast bowlers. His record does not tell his actual contribution.” High praise indeed from one of the best bowlers ever to have graced the game.