5 interactions cricketers had with spectators near the boundary

The spectators at the cricket ground cheer for their favourite team vociferously and they get animated when they see their favourite stars fielding in front of them at the boundary line. But when a player from the opposition comes to field near the boundary ropes, the spectators sometimes make life difficult for them with their constants chants and boos. They sometimes act funny too as they imitate a particular player who is fielding near the ropes.

The interactions the cricketers have with the spectators near the boundary line provide wholesome entertainment for sure. Even the commentators love that. There are some ugly incidents as well when a particular player was angered with some fans, who booed him constantly. But there are some funny moments as well. Let’s have a look at 5 instances when a player interacted with the spectators near the boundary line.

1. Virat Kohli

The poster-boy of Indian cricket has had some ugly moments with the rampaging crowd at Australia when the fans there allegedly abused him. Kohli was caught in a controversy when he reacted to the crowd by showing a disrespectful middle finger to them.

However, the darling of the Indian spectators is an inspirational figure on the cricket field and he is someone who is unapologetically patriotic in the truest sense of the word. Recently in the game against Bangladesh in the ICC T20 World Cup 2016, Kohli spurred the fans to cheer for the country instead of him, when the fans were chanting his name.

That surely was an act of patriotism and proved the fact that he plays for the name that is on front of the jersey.

2. Ronnie Irani

Ronnie Irani’s warm-up moves are being mimicked by the spectators

Former England all-rounder Ronnie Irani got the spectators behind him both literally and figuratively when he started stretching near the boundary line in the closing stages of an ODI game between Australia and England.

England were on the verge of losing the game and Ronnie Irani made the mood lighter with his moves near the boundary line. The crowd started mimicking his warm-up moves and realizing that Ronnie decided to have fun with them as he started dishing out various warm-up techniques.

The incident was really hilarious and it made everyone smile.

3. David Warner

David Warner was heckled by the crowd in England after the infamous punching saga

The swashbuckling Australian opener had to face the wrath of the boisterous England crowd as the infamous incident between him and England international Joe Root became public. Warner punched Root in an ugly altercation that took place in a pub and he was severely scrutinized for that.

The England crowd, however, found their own way of humiliating Warner as they mimicked his infamous punch. Warner went to the boundary to collect the ball when he saw the fans doing the heckling act. He was left with a wry smile on his face.

Controversies have always surrounded the man from Australia and it was surely one of them.

4. Kevin Pietersen

A viewer in the crowd tricked Pietersen by apparently asking for an autograph

The former England batsman Kevin Pietersen was trolled badly by the vociferous Australia crowd during the second test match between England and Australia at the Gabba during the 2013 Ashes series.

The incident happened when Pietersen was tricked by a spectator who intended to take his autograph but hilariously backed off when Pietersen went towards him. That set the uproarious Australian fans going as they started shouting at Pietersen, who was fielding near the boundary ropes. Pietersen, however, tried to keep his composure as he showed friendly gestures to the crowd.

The Australian fans surely embarrassed their fierce opponent’s best player that day.

5. Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan showed his dancing moves to the audience at the 2007 T20 World Cup

One of the most popular players in the Indian cricket team has always shown his cheerful side on the ground. He used to celebrate his wickets in a quintessential manner and fans used to love that chirpy side of the veteran off-spinner.

Harbhajan was amongst the crowd-favourites and being a true blue Punjabi showed his Bhangra skills, a traditional Punjabi dance, to the spectators at the boundary rope in the inaugural edition of the World T20 in South Africa. Harbhajan was celebrating India’s win in the all-important semifinal against Australia as he showed some steps of Bhangra to the ecstatic bunch of Indian fans.