Cricketers often have an exceptional passion for the sport. This passion leads them to make sacrifices in their lives for the love of the game. This passion for the beautiful game of cricket is what makes the sport stand out of all the activities. However, sometimes the players take the extra steps and make sacrifices which are unimaginable. These sacrifices include keeping the game of cricket even ahead of their families. Let us take a look at 10 players who kept the game ahead of their families:
1. Ravichandran Ashwin:
The off-spinner is often one of the most passionate and calm people found on the cricket ground. He displayed his passion for the sport in the 4th test between India and South Africa. The game is remembered for a famous twin hundred by Ajinkya Rahane. Ajnkya Rahane also stitched a century stand with Ashwin in the game who scored a brilliant half-century. The Chennai player featured in the game despite having the knowledge of a dreadful flood in his home town. Reportedly his parents were stuck in the middle of the incident and Ashwin wasn’t able to contact them for over 24 hours. However, he kept his calm to play for his country.
2. Brendan Taylor:
The wicket-keeper batsman is one of the few Zimbabwe players who have been sold in IPL. The Zimbabwean legend sacrificed his honeymoon to represent Sunrisers Hyderabad who bought him for his base price. Even though Taylor did not feature in any game, his sacrifice is remembered to date.
3. Brett Lee:
Brett Lee is well recognized for his immense passion for the game. He displayed his passion in 2006 when he was scheduled to feature in Ashes. Brett Lee sacrificed the birth of his child to feature in the first test match for Australia. The yellow army eventually won the series 5-0.
4. Jason Roy:
The World Cup is the biggest tournament that a cricketer can play. In the run-up to the World Cup England toured Pakistan for a One Day series. Jason Roy displayed an immense passion for the game in this series. Jason Roy was in spectacular form throughout the series. However, just before the 4th ODI, he was informed about the bad health of his daughter who was admitted to a hospital. Roy went to look after his daughter and remained with his child. However, he returned back to play in the 4th ODI and lead the English team to a 3-0 victory. He was sent back to his family after the fourth game.
5.Rashid Khan:
The Afghani spinner is regarded as the next big thing in cricket. Pundits have often stated that his passion makes him different from other players in the game. His passion was put on display in a Big Bash League game. He received the news of his father’s demise. However, Rashid Khan did not attend his father’s funeral and stayed in Australia for the game though, criticized the event clearly displayed his immense passion for the sport.
6. Mohd Shami:
The magician with the bowl suffered from a great personal tragedy in 2016 when his daughter was sick and admitted to ICU. However, the pacer who was a part of India’s squad against New Zealand kept his national duties above his family problems. The star went to and fro to Kolkata from his work location. All his teammates were shocked by his attachment to the game. Virat Kohli even commended the pacer for his fighting spirit.
7. MS Dhoni:
MS Dhoni is arguably one of the most passionate players to have played for India. His desire to perform is what makes him stand out on the field. In an incident in 2015, team India was in Australia preparing for the World Cup. It was then on 6th February when his wife Sakshi Dhoni delivered their first born, Ziva. Even though, Dhoni has the time to visit India to get a glimpse of his daughter he chose not to and instead focused on the preparation for the World Cup. Dhoni saw Ziva for the first time in March.
8. Sachin Tendulkar:
The right-hander was one of the most recognized faces of Indian Cricket in 1999. His cordial relationship with his father was well renowned. However, as he was playing in the World Cup he received heartbreaking news of his father’s demise. Sachin left for Mumbai to attend the last rites of his father. However, to everyone’s utmost surprise he returned to represent India in a game against Kenya. Sachin Tendulkar scored one of the most emotional centuries the World Cricket has seen in that game.
9. Virat Kohli:
The word passion sometimes seems synonyms with Virat Kohli. This is what has defined him and it was put on display in 2006 when Kohli was just a 17-year old boy. He was representing Delhi in a Ranaji game against Karnataka in a near defeat situation. However, just a few hours before the commencement of the fourth day the team received the sad news of demise of Virat Kohli’s father. However, Kohli set up an example and batted the entire day. He put up a valiant 90 on board in a losing effort. Kohli left for Delhi after the end of the day’s play.
10. Parthiv Patel:
The smiling assassin performed fantastically in the 2019 IPL for RCB. However, he was fighting a personal tragedy throughout the season. His father Ajay Patel was hospitalized throughout the tournament and Parthiv Patel went to and fro from his workplace and his home. His dedication was applauded by all.
