A 'Gentlemen' XI of currently active cricketers

Sports bring out the best of competitive spirit in individuals besides being a huge source of entertainment to people all across the globe. Cricket is one such sport whose popularity and fan base has always been increasing.

Though it incepted in the late 16th century, it gained popularity in the 17th century when the English aristocrats started playing it. They behested that the game would be played in a "gentlemanly manner", which meant ideally there shouldn't have been any sledging, cheating, body-line bowling, excessive appealing, temper tantrums etc. If the batsman knew he was out he should walk even if the umpire deemed it to be the otherwise.

For the majority of the time since then, it was played in a gentlemanly manner, however in recent times with the advent of T20 cricket and the high-pressure environments, players nowadays often cross the line. Despite that, there have been some cricketers who have set examples for future generations to follow in terms of on-field behavior.

So, let us have a look at eleven current players who have been following the footsteps of those greats and playing the game in a gentlemanly manner.

#1 Hashim Amla

The elegant Proteas opener is one of the very few who always holds the spirit of the game in highest regards. Besides that, he has been a synonym of consistency along with Virat Kohli in the world cricket over the years.

Much like the former Australian great, Adam Gilchrist, Hashim Amla is known for his honesty and integrity on and off the field. There have been many instances where he walked off the field without waiting for the umpire's decision when he knew he was out. Amla always believes in letting his bat do all the talking whenever he comes across any verbal spats from the opposition players.

The 35-year-old South African great has thus far played 122 Tests, 169 ODIs and 44 T20Is, scoring 9231, 7696 and 1277 runs at averages of 47.33, 49.65 and 33.60 respectively. He also has 54 tons and 85 fifties to his name.

#2 Ajinkya Rahane

One of the most technically solid cricketers of this era, Ajinkya Rahane is known for his calming presence and affable nature on and off the field. Much like his idol, the great Rahul Dravid, Rahane believes in playing the game in good spirit. He never shies away from taking on challenges for the team’s cause.

Rahane has been one of the most dependable players for India both with the bat and in the slips in the longer form of the game. The 30-year-old has thus far played 56 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is scoring in close to 7000 runs with the help of 12 tons in all formats combined.

#3 Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara is a saint in the age of tattoos and peroxides bleached hair. Known for his solid technique, calming presence, inexhaustible patience, and impeccable resistance, Pujara has become "Mr.Dependable" of this era of Indian cricket.

He is someone who cares only about getting the job done for his team leaving everything else aside. Even sledging and banter from the opposition can only help him get better out of himself.

India's number three in Tests has thus far featured in 58 tests, scoring 5426 runs at an average of 51.20. Pujara also has 18 tons and 20 half-centuries to his name.

#4 Kane Williamson

The New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson, is considered to be one among the fab-four batsmen of the modern-day cricket. Unlike the other three comprising Kohli, Steve Smith, and Joe Root, Williamson doesn't believe in an explicitly aggressive brand of cricket. One can rarely find Williamson involve in any argument or banter on the field.

Known for his exceptional cricketing skills, Williamson is lauded as the greatest cricketer New Zealand has ever produced after the legendary Martin Crowe.

The 28-year-old has thus far played 70 tests, 132 ODIs and 54 T20Is, scoring in excess of 12500 runs and scalping 70 wickets in all three formats combined.

#5 MS Dhoni

From a young raw lad with long hair who came to limelight with his blistering stroke-play, to becoming one of the most successful leaders in the history of cricket; the journey of MS Dhoni has been an immense inspiration to all the youngsters from small towns who dare to dream big.

Throughout his captaincy stint and after that, Dhoni has always believed in playing the game in true spirit. He never adopted any foul means to get an edge over his opponents and always played the game with integrity.

The former team India captain is one of the five Indian players to have scored more than 10000 runs in ODIs.

#6 Jason Holder

The current ODI captain of the West Indies is being lauded for giving his best to take the helpless West Indies team in the right direction. In the process, he has also become a more reliable all-rounder for the Windies.

Jason Holder is known for keeping a calm head all the time. He never loses his cool and involves in verbal exchanges with the opposition players.

The lanky fast bowler has thus far played 35 Tests, 84 ODIs and 8 T20Is, scoring in excess of 3000 runs and scalping more than 200 wickets in all three formats combined.

#7 Mitchell Stantner

Mitchell Santner is a young left-arm spinner from New Zealand who has represented them in all three formats of the game. The youngster has taken giant strides in international cricket since his debut in 2015 and has become a reliable all-rounder for the team. His calm head and ability to bat well under pressure were on the show when the last time New Zealand traveled to India.

After being sidelined for nine months due to a knee injury, 26-year-old will return back to the fold with the ODI series against India. Playing 17 Tests, 53 ODIs and 28 T20Is, the lanky spinner has scored close to 1500 runs with the bat and picked up 123 wickets with the ball.

#8 Mashrafe Mortaza

The Bangladesh skipper, Mashrafe Mortaza, is one of the most underrated captains in the world cricket at the moment. After fighting with injuries during the most part of his career the 35-year-old has been doing a commendable job by inspiring his team.

A principled man and a calm head on shoulders, he carries himself with a lot of dignity on and off the field. He is one of the most loved personalities in Bangladesh. The way in which he treated his fan when he dodged all the security personnel and came running into the ground to meet him, proves he is a true gentleman.

Mortaza has thus far played in 36 Tests, 202 ODIs and 54 T20Is scoring close to 3000 runs with the bat and mustering 378 wickets with the ball in all formats combined.

#9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is one of the very few bowlers in the world cricket who possess the rare skill of swinging the ball both ways. He along with Bumrah has formed the best death bowling pair in the world for their ability to contain runs and take wickets at the same time to dent the opposition.

Despite being one of the best in the business, he rarely finds himself in sledging or verbal battles. In fact, he doesn't need anything extra than his impeccable bowling skills to get the better of the batsmen.

The 28-year-old has thus far featured in 21 Tests, 98 ODIs and 34 T20Is, scoring in excess of 1000 runs with bat and taking more than 200 wickets with the ball in all formats combined.

#10 Trent Boult

The joint highest wicket-taker of the 2015 World Cup, Trent Boult, has been a vital cog in the New Zealand line up over the years. Boult and Tim Southee's combination has been a nightmare for many batsmen around the world.

Besides his fast-bowling talent, it is his conduct on the field that fetched him a lot of admirers all over the globe. He is never seen involving in verbal battles with the opposition.

Thus far the Kiwi pacer has played 59 Tests, 71 ODIs and 25 T20Is and is one wicket shy from picking 400 scalps in international cricket.

#11 Lasith Malinga

One of the most feared bowlers of all time, Lasith Malinga has been a leader of Sri Lankan bowling attack for quite some time now. With his largely unorthodox action and toe-crushing yorkers, Malinga has been a nightmare for close to a decade.

He is one of those very few bowlers of whom scoring runs is a very tough task. Even if he goes for runs occasionally, all he manages to wear on his face is a benign smile applauding batsman's brilliance, nothing else.

The Sri Lankan legend has thus far featured in 30 Tests, 213 ODIs and 70 T20Is, taking a total of 523 wickets in all formats combined.

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