World Cup History: Three best sportsmanship acts across tournaments

Cricket has always been advertised as the ‘gentleman’s game’ with the sole reason as the players tend to give their every bit on the field but play the game in the best possible spirit. There have been instances in the past when few have got carried away for the sheer passion and the love for the game, crossing a certain boundary that hampers the spirit of the game. However, some have led by example for the rest to follow and play the game in a sporting fashion.

Being a high-intensity sport with no opposition willing to give an inch on the field, players tend to commit acts which at times are not considered in the "Spirit of Cricket." However, no player has the real intention to set a bad example with his actions on the field.

With World Cup being the pinnacle in any sport, players are extra motivated, knowing what is at stake for their respective countries. As a result, they tend to go the extra mile without estimating what impact it might have on the game and the viewers across the world. At the same time, an act in the spirit of the game gets extensively appreciated on the large scale.

Here we take a look at three of the best sportsmanship acts in World Cup history.

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#3 Grant Elliott’s sporting act towards Dale Steyn in the 2015 semi-final

South Africa vs New Zeland 2015 WC Semi-finals

In the first semi-final in the World Cup 2015 in a face-off between South Africa and New Zealand, one of the best moments from the match came after the Kiwis secured a win over the Proteas. The star for the home team, Grant Elliott made a wonderful gesture after hitting a winning six to take his team through to the finals.

Requiring 12 off the final over, Elliott hit a six against Dale Steyn on the penultimate delivery to win it for his team. The entire South African team were on the ground, shedding tears. So was Steyn, when Elliott extended his hand to the fast-bowler who was lying on the pitch in despair, to offer him commiserations and a few words of encouragement after the loss. It was one of the better sights, portraying the sportsmanship in a tough and a close game.

#2 Courtney Walsh turns down a Mankad opportunity against Pakistan

Courtney Walsh

The face-off between Pakistan and West Indies in the 1987 World Cup at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, to date, is remembered for the incident on the last ball of the game. Requiring 14 off the final over, Abdul Qadir and Saleem Jaffar somehow saw the equation at just 2 required on the ultimate delivery with Courtney Walsh with the ball in hand.

However, as the West Indian quick ran in to bowl the last delivery, he pulled out at the non-striker end as Jaffar had backed up way too far. It was an opportunity to 'Mankad' the non-striker but Walsh resorted not to do so and ran up again to bowl the final ball.

As it turned out, Qadir managed to score two off the final ball and took his side home in an enthralling encounter. The game, however, is remembered not for the result but for Walsh’s act of sportsmanship which might have cost his team the match but was widely appreciated for playing the game in the spirit of the game.

#1 Virat Kohli asks fans to not boo Steve Smith

Virat Kohli and Steve Smith

In one of the most recent encounters in the ongoing World Cup, Indian skipper Virat Kohli displayed a gentleman’s act with his gesture for Steve Smith. In India’s fixture against Australia at The Oval, Kohli was gutted to see the Indian contingent of fans booing Smith, who was stationed in the outfield.

Kohli appealed to the crowd to not boo the former Australian skipper, instead cheer and applaud for the team. He didn’t want to see the Indian fans set a bad example and as a result, asked them to not do so. This was after Smith and David Warner were banned from international cricket for 12 months due to their involvement in "Sandpapergate" and are making a return in Australian colours in this World Cup.

However, Kohli felt that they have had their fair share of punishment and are making an effort to put up a show for the team, and hence deserve better treatment from the fans. This act from Kohli was widely appreciated and might go in as one of the best moments in this World Cup so far.