5 most entertaining characters in cricket from recent times

They say 'all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy'. However, talking from a cricketing perspective, 'all play and no fun makes cricket a dull game'. It is true that the players need to fix their focus on the game and play it with a certain deal of seriousness; however, that does not imply that there cannot be any fun in the field of play.Although on-field fun has always been a part of the game, the frequency of having fun during a match has gone up a few notches of late. That brings us to the topic of players who are the epitome of fun in cricket. The popularity of these players is not restricted to what they do with the bat or ball, but spreads out to their antics on the cricket field.Lets’s take a look at 5 among the most entertaining characters in cricket:

#5 Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh dances in the ‘Bhangnam’ style

One of the most controversial yet entertaining characters of not only Indian but world cricket is ‘Turbanator’ Harbhajan Singh. He has surely entertained Indian crowds with incredible bowling performances, but his on-field antics have been quite pleasurable at times too.

Among Harbhajan’s great traits has been his sense of humour, which may not always be intentional but tends to bring a smile to one’s face. One of the funniest instances from Bhajji’s career came during the 2013 IPL season. In a match for Mumbai Indians against Royal Challengers Bangalore, he dismissed the dangerous Chris Gayle and celebrated with his own version of the ‘Gangnam’ style dance that had a ‘Bhangra’ touch to it; something which became popular as the ‘Bhangnam’ style later on.

This is just one of the many occasions on which Harbhajan Singh has entertained the crowd with his actions rather than his bowling. He is certainly a character who can provide wholesome entertainment to cricket fans.

#4 Dwayne Bravo

Dwayne Bravo shows off one of his dancing moves

Undoubtedly one of the best dancers among cricketers, Dwayne Bravo, combines his all-round skills on the cricket field with some smooth moves. There is not one but several instances on which Bravo has won the hearts of crowds with his incredible dancing skills, even though most of them may not look too rehearsed.

While Dwayne Bravo has entertained one and all with his dancing moves wherever he has played, he has been particularly generous during the Indian Premier League. In the previous season itself, there were a number of instances when Bravo broke into an impromptu jig after taking a wicket or pulling off a catch. One of them was in a game for Chennai Super Kings against Royal Challenger Bangalore where he danced away to glory after dismissing Yuvraj Singh.

A natural entertainer like Dwayne Bravo is ideal for keeping the fun element of cricket alive and kicking.

#3 Chris Gayle

Gayle celebrates another century in Cristiano Ronaldo style

The epicentre of cricket entertainment is the best description of destructive West Indian batsman Chris Gayle. While fans never get enough of his batting, he always ensures that he gives them something extra that they can cherish about along with his heroics with the bat.

Gayle has always ensured that he keeps up with what’s trending among the general masses, whether it is ‘Gangnam’ style or football maestro Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal scoring celebrattion. And he ensures he gives his cricket audiences a taste of them in his own unique style. An unforgettably entertaining moment from Chris Gayle’s career is the celebration for his country’s triumph in the 2012 World Twenty20 where he led from the front as the entire West Indies team danced ‘Gangnam’ style.

Of late, one of his popular acts was his celebratory gesture after scoring a hundred which resembled what football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo does after scoring his goals. Gayle also keeps the crowd entertained by indulging in humour with his fellow cricketers during matches, making him one of the most entertaining cricketers ever.

#2 Kieron Pollard

Kieron Pollard’s tape incident is one of the funniest occurences in IPL cricket

The big-hitting West Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard is a complete entertainment package. Not only does he have the ability to entertain the crowd with his huge sixes, but also has an equally good sense of humour which he displays every now and then, particularly in the Indian Premier League.

Some of Pollard’s theatricals have had people in splits, but there is none greater than the tape incident at this year’s IPL. It all transpired during a match between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore where Kieron Pollard had a few words to say to his fellow West Indian Chris Gayle and the umpires asked him to keep his mouth shut. The big man took the umpire’s word a little too seriously and headed towards the Mumbai Indians dugout only to return with duct tape covering his mouth, much to the amusement of the crowd.

Although Pollard may tend to go overboard at times, but cricket is always more fun to watch when he is around.

#1 S Sreesanth

One of Sreesanth’s many entertaining antics on the field

The walking talking Bollywood movie of a cricketer, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth is one of the most entertaining characters you will ever find in cricket. From a bat-whirling dance after hitting a six to shedding tears after being allegedly slapped by a fellow player, we’ve seen it all from the Kerala pacer.

Sreesanth is as temperamental a cricketer as they come and he has proved this time and again in his career. One of the first noticeable instances which brought out his entertaining side came in the same series where he rose in prominence as a bowler. South African pacer Andre Nel beat him with a bouncer and challenged him to show some courage. The very next ball saw Sreesanth dance down the track and smash the ball for six which was followed by a vigorous whirling of the bat alongwith a dance straight out of a Mollywood flick.

The Indian bowler also became famous for his celebrations, which can best be described as over-the-top, and his mood swings for which others as well as Sreesanth himself have had to suffer at times.