In the current cricket world, some players play for their records rather than the team’s position in the game. Cricket is a team’s sport and should be played based on team’s current situation. Certain players have set their interests aside and assisted their team. In this article, we will see the Top 10 selfless knocks in cricket history.
1. Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa, the 2014 IPL orange cap winner, entered the Indian team after a fantastic IPL season. He had the opportunity to play a few big shots and ensure his position in the team on his comeback innings, but he decided to rotate the strike so that Rohit could get the maximum deliveries to face. Rohit Sharma finished the innings scoring 264 runs which is the highest individual score in ODI cricket.
2. Michael Clarke
Clarke was looking unbeatable in a test match against India in Jan 2012. All the experts in the world thought that he was on the way to beating the record of Brian Lara, the highest individual score in test cricket i.e., 401. But he declared the innings when he was at 329 runs. He thought that Australia was in the commanding position to win the game.
3. Ab De Villiers
ABD displayed another face, and he maintained his patience. In 2012 when South Africa was looking to draw the test on Adelaide wicket, he played one of the slowest knocks in cricket history and scored 33 runs in 220 balls. He showed his another talent to the world and made South Africa one of the best draws in the history of South African cricket.
4. Graeme Smith
Graeme Smith is one of the best captains in the world and is a true leader by action, and this inning is one of the indicators of that. In 2009 at SCG stadium, a brutal delivery broke his left hand. He suffered a severe right elbow injury. He left the field as retired hurt on 30. He again entered the field to save South Africa on the final day. With 8.2 overs left, he played with a broken elbow and almost saved South Africa from that loss.
5. Virender Sehwag
In 2008 at Chennai, England set India a target of 387 in the last innings. Most people thought it would be an easy win for England. Virender Sehwag batted in the way he does, regardless of the format. He scored 83 runs in just 68 balls and provided some space for the rest of the batters to chase it down. India chased it down quickly and won the game easily.
6. Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh is one of the best hitters of the ball. His international career is like an inspirational story. He had cancer and fought against it. Then he became a legend of the game. One such inning came in 2011 against West Indies in Chennai. He vomited blood on the ground, and the umpires suggested returning to the pavilion, but he refused and continued the innings. He finished the innings by scoring 113 runs with ten fours and two sixes. He also continued bowling and got two wickets, and won the game for India. He won not only Man of the match but also many hearts that day.
7. Hashim Amla
Hashim Amla is the most underrated batters in cricket. He has been the heart of the South African team for many years. In a test match against India, Amla scored 25 runs in 244 balls when South Africa was looking for a draw. He, along with ABD, almost pulled the match from India.
8. Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly is known for his jersey celebration at lords. But he not only celebrated but also played a selfless knock that day. India needed 326 runs in the game, which is almost impossible for India. Everybody thought England would win the game, but Ganguly pulled over a miracle. He played aggressively and scored 60 runs in 43 balls.
9. Steve Waugh
In 2001, Australia led the Ashes series 3-0. Steve Waugh has a calf injury, and many thought he wouldn’t play the next game. But Waugh entered the final game for his wife and played the last game. He smashed an unbeaten 157 and won the game for Australia. Thus Australia won The Ashes series seventh time in a row.
10. Mark Taylor
In 1998, Australia was facing Pakistan. He was captaining the Australian team that day. He equalized Don Bradman’s record of 334. He decided not to ruin Don’s record and declared the innings there. After the match, he stated that he will share his place with Don Bradman in the record book. Thus he gained massive respect among fans.
