Good sportsmanship includes adhering to the rules and being aware and following sporting etiquette. A fair game played with civility and fairness towards the other team and courtesy and graciousness in victory and defeat. In different sports, sportsmanship got practiced in a variety of ways. Sportsmanship typically involves treating people as you would like to get treated yourself. Shaking hands, helping a fallen opponent, encouraging the opponent team, cheering, clapping, or giving a high-five are all instances of good sportsmanship. When it comes to sportsmanship, it’s vital to remember that “it’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.” Sportsmanship got not specified as a law or a regulation in the guidelines. It depends on the person and varies from one to another. As a cricketer grows up, the ideals of sportsmanship get instilled in him. Check out these 10 acts which exemplify sportsmanship:
1. Pakistan Vs India, 1984
Indian opener Kriss Srikkanth was ruled leg before wicket by the umpire in an ODI in Lahore in 1989 despite having managed to get the ball to touch his pad with an inside edge before it struck his pad. As a result of the judgment, Srikkanth was furious and told the umpire that the ball had struck his bat first. Imran Khan, Pakistan’s captain, also agreed that the review was incorrect, and he spoke with the umpire, who overturned the decision.
2. Courtney Walsh In The 1987 World Cup
When faced with the option of running a batter out in the most severe manner, Courtney Walsh opted to lose during the 1987 World Cup, Lahore. Pakistan needed two runs to win off the last ball, and while Walsh backed up a bit too much in his delivery stride, he didn’t run out Pakistan’s non-striker. Abdul Qadir got his runs off the next delivery, and Pakistan won by one wicket, all thanks to Walsh.
3. Adam Gilchrest In The 2003 World Cup Semifinal Vs Sri Lanka
Honesty is the best policy, and Adam Gilchrist epitomized it. There aren’t very many players that walk away when they realize they’re out. Moreover, walking off in the World Cup semi-final carries a lot more weight than walking off in any other typical match. As usual, Adam Gilchrist played his game with honesty and declared after the game that, in his opinion, he had no right to be there.
4. Ashes 2005: Andrew Flintoff Comforts Brett Lee
England and Australia have had a long-standing rivalry since the game’s beginning. The Ashes have always been a noteworthy series between the two nations. England’s Andrew Flintoff placed a hand on Brett Lee’s back following England’s victory over Australia by two runs in Test two of the Ashes series in 2005.
5. Sangakkara Exiting Field Before The Umpire's Decision
During England’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2007, Sangakkara’s bat got brushed off by a Stuart Broad ball, which landed in the wicketkeeper’s hands, who did not even appeal for a catch. Even though Sangakkara knew there was an advantage, Sangakkara decided not to wait for an umpire’s judgment.
6. Pakistan Vs New Zealand, 2014
A southpaw batsman for Australia, Phil Hughes, died after being struck by Sean Abbott in the Sheffield Shield. Hughes was in a coma after a hit to the head knocked him unconscious. He had a score of 63 when he got hit, and he could not recover. To mark Philip Hughes’ death, Pakistan and New Zealand observed silence.
7. Grant Elliot Helped Dale Steyn Get Up After 2015 Semi-final
When it comes to the World Cup semi-finals, South Africa has difficulty trying to advance. On the other hand, New Zealand has always played the same manner throughout its history with the proper attitude. New Zealand’s middle-order batsman, Grant Elliott, displayed extraordinary courage as he offered his hand to Dale Steyn after the fast bowler was upset after surrendering the six.
8. 2015 World Cup: Sri Lanka Vs South Africa
South African players bid Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene goodbye after the quarterfinal of the 2015 World Cup. They were honored by South Africa, who won the match by nine wickets. There were thousands of supporters cheering them on at the Sydney Cricket Ground as they played their farewell ODI for their team.
9. India Vs Afghanistan, 2018
Rahane’s spirit shone through as he made a mesmerizing gesture vs. Afghanistan. It was Afghanistan’s first Test in their cricket history, and everyone in the sport hailed it. India’s skipper called the whole Afghanistan squad to the trophy felicitation ceremony after a dominant inning and 262-run win. In the post-match ceremony, the Indian team shared a frame with Afghanistan to recognize their opponent’s efforts.
10. Kane Williamson In The 2019 World Cup
New Zealand lost the World Cup finals on a boundary-count rule in the Lord’s supper over. Captain Williamson, on the other hand, dealt with his disenchantment maturely. Williamson was the tournament’s unheralded hero. Almost everyone applauded the Kiwi captain’s gesture towards Carlos Braithwaite after a five-wicket win over the West Indies in the 2019 World Cup match on the 23rd of June 2019. As a whole, New Zealand’s on-field behavior was laudable despite Ben Stokes deflecting a throw towards the boundary with his bat in the finals. England’s first World Cup victory was the media’s focus, but the sportsmanship of the Kiwi captain, Kane Williamson, was also praised.
