5 instances when cricket players cried on the field

The game of cricket rules the heart of millions of people who are connected to it. The sport in many ways mirrors the real life and emotions of fans and players. The sentiments of the fans and players get attached to the sport which results in them laying bare the deepest of emotions.

Both the players and the spectators feel every bit of the game they watch. Whilst the spectators on one hand display a different kind of emotion while watching the game on television screens or at the stadium, the players who restlessly manifest determination and dedication throughout the game, hardly express any sorrowful or blissful feelings.

The cricketers respecting the sport’s grandeur of being a Gentlemen’s Game keep their feelings in check.

There have been several moments when players have been overtaken by emotion. On quite a few occasions, different factors like controversies, memorable victories or miserable failures at a very important stage have led to the players' eyes filled with tears.

Here, we take a look at the 5 instances when cricketers cried on the field.

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#1. Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib sheds tears

The final game of the 11th edition of Asia Cup witnessed the clash of Bangladesh and Pakistan. Both teams had won two matches each in the tournament, and were all set to lock horns in the final match of the tournament. The hosts won the toss and elected to field first.

Bangladesh with big dreams of winning their first Asia Cup title took the field. There were small contributions from a few Pakistani Batsmen but no other batsman apart from Sarfaraz Ahmed was able to build a partnership. The visiting team scored 236 runs in 50 overs.

The hosts required 237 runs in 50 overs to win their first Asia Cup title. Bangladesh had never countered a chase in finals before. Chasing 237, Tamim Iqbal along with Nizamuddin provided a decent start for their team. After Nizam’s wicket, what followed was a short collapse as Bangladesh were soon 3 wickets down on 81 runs.

Shakib-Al-Hasan utilized his experience from there on as he scored a much important half-century. However, once Shakib was dismissed no other Bangla batsman could perform the rest of the proceedings as the hosts lost the nail-biting game by 2 runs.

Bangladesh's dreams to win their first Asia Cup title were shattered. The team was heartbroken after the game. Almost every member of the team was seen crying on the field.

#2. S Sreesanth

Inconsolable

It was the 10th match of the inaugural edition of Indian Premier League and there’s no denying the fact that this has by far been one of the most controversial games in the history of IPL. The Harbhajan Singh-led Mumbai Indians locked horns with Yuvraj Singh’s Kings XI Punjab at the IS Bindra stadium, Mohali.

The hosts batting first posted a total of 182 runs in 20 overs. Kumar Sangakkara was the highest scorer from King’s side as he scored a scintillating 94-run knock. The hosts dominated in the second innings as well. MI suffered a collapse and eventually lost the match by 66 runs.

Punjab's paceman S Sreesanth exchanged some verbal volleys with the MI captain after the match. And Harbhajan, who was already miffed by his team’s performance, found the words offensive and ended up slapping the right-arm Kerala-born medium pacer. Sreesanth’s eyes were full of tears after this embarrassing incident.

#3. Virat Kohli

It was the 4th edition of the T20 World cup. India topped it’s pool in the group stages and directly entered the Super-8 stage. The team’s performance was below par in the latter as it won and lost one match each before facing South Africa in the virtual quarterfinals.

Against South Africa, India lost the toss and asked to bat first. The Proteas, on one hand, were already disqualified from the tournament and were playing for their pride. Whilst, India, on the other hand, needed to restrict the opponents under 121 to qualify for the knockout stages.

Batting first, no other Indian batsman apart from Suresh Raina (45) was able to cross the 30-run mark. The Indian team found the African's bowling attack too strong to clobber as they ended up scoring only 152 runs in 20 overs. With the hopes of winning by at least 31 runs, Indian bowlers stepped on the field in the second innings.

Their hopes were soon dashed as Faf Du Plessis scored a brilliant half-century and shattered India’s dreams of entering the knockout stages. India won the nail-biting thriller by 1 run, the MS Dhoni-led team failed to make it to the Semis of the tournament.

Virat Kohli was dejected after he realized that his team has failed to make it to the knockout stages of the championship. The present Indian team captain was seen crying on the field after the match.

#4. South African Team

South Africa stumbles again

South African Cricket Team’s poor record in knockout stages of any tournament isn’t hidden from anyone. The team’s performance in crucial matches has thus far been mediocre. The first Semi-Final of the 2015 World Cup was yet another game where the team failed to get the better of its opponents.

Winning the toss, South Africa elected to bat first. Both the African openers were soon sent back to the pavilion largely due to a fiery spell by Trent Boult with the new ball. Batting at his usual position (no. 3), Faf Du Plessis came to rescue his team as he preserved the strike from one end whilst AB Devilliers did his trademark damage from the other end.

Rain interrupted in between which was followed by David Miller’s 49 runs blitz in just 18 balls. The Proteas ended at 281 for 5. New Zealand was given a target of 298 as per the Duckworth Lewis method.

Chasing 298 in the big Semi-Final, Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill got New Zealand off to an ideal start as they raced away to 71 for no loss. Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson were soon dismissed in short intervals. In the meantime, Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor had a miniscule partnership.

Corey Anderson and Grant Elliot took charge in the end and applied the finishing touch. However Corey Anderson was given out after scoring a half century, it was Grant Elliott who scored an unbeaten once-in-a-lifetime knock of 84 off 73 deliveries which also included the historic six off Dale Steyn on the Penultimate ball of the match that secured a spot for the Kiwis in the final match of the Cricket World Cup 2015.

South Africa was knocked out of an ICC Tournament on yet another occasion. Even the likes of Dale Steyn, AB De villiers, and Faf Du Plessis were in tears. The team was heartbroken and so were the fans from all over the world.

#5. Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh

Indian Cricket team become World Champions

The 2011 Cricket World Cup witnessed a spirited team, led by an extraordinary captain, going through the final match of the tournament. It was the day when even the toughest of fans couldn't sabotage the happy tears rolling out of their eyes. It was the day when India won their second World Cup title after 28 years as they defeated the 1996-World Cup champions Sri Lanka at the iconic Wankhede cricket ground, Mumbai.

Batting first, the visitors had a sedate start constrained by Zaheer Khan’s 5-over spell which consisted of 3 consecutive maidens and a wicket of Upul Tharanga. Mahela Jayawardene started to increase the tempo in the middle overs and ended up being the highest run-scorer from the Lankan’s side as he scored an ebullient century. Sri Lanka posted a convincing total of 274 runs in 50 overs.

India had to chase 275 runs in 50 overs to fulfill their dream of winning the world cup title for the second time. The hosts had a disastrous start as they lost Virender Sehwag on the second ball of the second innings. Sehwag’s dismissal was soon followed by the Master-Blaster Sachin Tendulkar's wicket which left India struggling at 31 for two.

After Sachin’s wicket, the Delhi boys Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir started to build a partnership. The partnership was broken by Tillakaratne Dilshan who caught-and-bowled Virat Kohli. The Indian captain promoted himself up the order which turned out to be one of the biggest masterstrokes in the history of the tournament. Dhoni and Gambhir put up a partnership of 109 runs.

However, Gambhir was dismissed on 97, they were left with Dhoni and Yuvraj who did rest of the finishing duties. The then Indian captain, sealed the deal for India as he hit the second ball of the penultimate over of the match for a six! India had won the World Cup and jubilation spread like wildfire in the whole country.

The team had finally won a 50-over World Cup after the wait of 28 years. In a sudden wave of emotion, all the players rushed toward the ground. There were celebrations, joy and tears of happiness among the fans and players. Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh were seen crying on the field itself.

MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh were adjudged the man of the match and series awards respectively for their brilliant performance. Another feather was added to Dhoni’s cap. It was indeed an inspiring team effort and never-say-die attitude which ensured the silverware to the mercurial-yet-consistent Indian Cricket Team.