3 Indian Cricketers who did a Tamim Iqbal

In the opening match of the 14th edition of the Asia Cup, everyone witnessed a moment of courage, grit, and determination when the injured Tamim Iqbal walked out to bat at the fall of Bangladesh’s 9th wicket.

To recap, Tamim Iqbal got hit on the wrist by fast bowler Suranka Lakmal in the second over and seemed to be in extreme pain. Before that, Bangladesh had lost two wickets in the very first over. He had to retire hurt and a visit to the hospital where it was revealed that he had a serious fracture on the wrist and his Asia Cup was over.

Meanwhile, in the middle, Bangladesh’s experienced batsmen Mushifiqur Rahim was playing the innings of his life. He duly completed his century with the help of the Bangladesh tail. When the ninth Bangladesh wicket fell, everyone, including Rahim, thought that the Bangladesh innings was over.

To everyone’s surprise, Tamim Iqbal walked in with special paddings on the glove to cover the injured wrist. He faced one ball and batted with one hand. But at the other end, Mushifiqur Rahim got inspired by the courageous act of Tamim Iqbal and went on the rampage. The last wicket added 32 runs before Rahim got out in the last over for 144 runs. This lifted the Bangladesh score to 261.

The courageous act of Tamim Iqbal must have lifted the spirits of the Bangladesh bowlers as they knocked out Sri Lanka for 124 runs. Bangladesh won the opening match of the Asia Cup by a huge margin of 137 runs.

The grit shown by Tamim Iqbal brings back memories of 3 Indian cricketers who have shown tremendous character to continue their innings when under extreme pain. This article is about those 3 courageous Indian cricketers.

Anil Kumble – India vs West Indies at Antigua in 2002

Few Indian cricketers have shown the grit and determination like Anil Kumble had. While batting against West Indies at Antigua, Kumble was hit on the mouth by a Mervyn Dillon lifter. He spat out blood and continued to bat. After his innings, he found out that his jaw was fractured, and that he would play no part in the series.

The flight home was the following day. So, Kumble thought he could have some fun before leaving for home. Kumble came out to bowl with a bandaged face. The batsman Brian Lara was surprised to see Kumble back in action. With the bandaged face, Kumble bowled unchanged for 14 overs. Kumble was under extreme pain and the bandage had to be re-set after every over. Braving pain, Kumble bowled unchanged and got the great Brian Lara out LBW.

Anil Kumble was a gritty cricketer who had achieved everything in bowling in the same manner Sachin had in batting. Unfortunately, Anil Kumble never got the same recognition. Kumble was the Sachin Tendulkar of Indian bowling.

Mohinder Amarnath – India vs West Indies at Barbados in 1983

Mohinder Amarnath - Courage thy name Jimmy

Mohinder Amarnath had the courage to comment the selectors as a “ bunch of jokers”. But he had shown his courage not only in words but also in action in the middle.

India toured the West Indies in March 1983 just a couple of months before the famous World Cup win. Every Indian expected the legendary Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Viswanath to come good in the series. No one expected Mohinder Amarnath, who was coming back into the Indian team after a long break, to be the saviour of the team.

West Indies had their fast bowling quartet of Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Michael Holding, and Malcolm Marshall. During those heydays of Windies Cricket, the slogan was “ If Roberts and Garner don’t get you, Holding and Marshall certainly will”. The four fast bowlers were relentless and the batsmen had nowhere to hide.

In the fourth Test of the series at Barbados, West Indies won the toss and put India into bat on a green top. Amarnath scored a brilliant 91 in the first innings with the help of six fours and three sixes.

In the second innings, when on 18, Mohinder Amarnath was struck by a bouncer from Malcolm Marshall and needed hospitalisation. Transported to hospital, Amarnath needed six stitches. Amarnath then returned to the dressing room, washed the blood stains from his shirt and re-entered the crease at the fall of the fifth wicket. Greeted immediately with a bouncer from Holding, Amarnath hooked it for a six. Amarnath went on to make 80. Such was his guts and gumption.

That West Indies series was remembered for only two things. Amarnath’s batting exploits throughout the series against the West Indies fast bowling quartet. Particularly his gritty innings at Barbados after he was felled by a bouncer from Marshall.

The second happening was India’s first one day win against the West Indies which came at Berbice in Guyana. Many thought that the seeds for the 1983 World Cup win were sown at Berbice.

Sachin Tendulkar - India vs Pakistan at Chennai in 1999

Sachin reserved his best for Chennai

In the Chennai Test against Pakistan, India were set a target of 271 runs to win. Pakistan had Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Saqlain Mushtaq in their ranks. Tendulkar walked out to the middle with India tottering at 6 for 2. Waqar removed both the openers. Tendulkar was out for a duck in the first innings.

India were soon reduced to 82 for 5 and their only hope of winning the match was Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar was at that stage on 44. Nayan Mongia joined Sachin Tendulkar for the sixth wicket. Sachin Tendulkar was battling through a back spasm which restricted his movements at the crease.

Braving his back injury and pain, Tendulkar treated Wasim, Waqar, and Mushtag to disdain as he reached his 50 in style. At the other end, Mongia was extending his support. India went past 150. Tendulkar was on 83 when his lower back gave away. He was on the ground receiving treatment and painkillers. He was determined to take India home.

Braving the agony, Tendulkar got up to bat. He set his eyes on Saqlain Mushtaq and hit him for 4 fours in one over. Tendulkar duly completed his hundred. Pakistan took the new ball immediately it became due. Runs started flowing with the arrival of the new ball. Mongia got into the act and completed his 50. However, Mongia got carried away after completing his half-century and got out to Akram. India needed 53 runs to win at that stage.

Tendulkar at the other end, though not struggling for runs, was struggling with a back spasm. The back was bothering Tendulkar yet again as he thought of finishing the match in a hurry. In that attempt, Sachin hit Saqlain Mushtaq for 3 fours in one over.

At the other end, Sunil Joshi smacked Saqlain over long-on for a huge six. Now 17 runs were required with 4 wickets in hand. Then the unthinkable happened. Tendulkar, hampered by back spasm, reached out to a doosra from Saqlain Mushtaq. His restricted movement led to the ball taking a leading edge and Akram latched on to it.

Saqlain Mushtaq had taken the most important wicket of his career. Sachin was crestfallen as he walked slowly back to the pavilion clutching his back to the standing ovation of the crowd. It was one of the greatest innings played by the little master under immense pain and distress. To rub salt to Tendulkar’s injury, India lost the match by 12 runs.

The Chennai Test will be remembered for Tendulkar’s brave innings in adversity and the sporting act of the Chennai crowd cheering the victorious Pakistan team leaving aside their disappointment.

Cricket has shown another side of human nature when cricketers showed tremendous courage by braving horrific injuries to resume playing a match for their team and country.

Hats off to such brave cricketers like Tamim Iqbal.