5 Heartwarming gestures by sportsmen on the cricket field

Cricket is a fiercely competitive game in which every athlete steps on the field to win it. However, there are some deeds of sportsmanship which justifies the tag of gentlemen's game.

On several occasions, cricketers proved why the spirit of the game is beyond everything, even winning the match. Such actions full of grit and gratitude manage to steal millions of hearts and, leave behind an everlasting memory. So let's have a look at some of the most heartwarming gestures by cricketers on the cricket field.

---

#5 Dhoni calls back Bell

India was 1-0 down in the series and needed to win the second Test in Nottingham to bounce back against the hosts. The incident took place just before the tea break, Ian Bell who was batting on 137* and looked to take the game away from team India, fell prey to some confusion and got out.

Morgan hit the ball to deep square leg and a magnificent piece of fielding from Praveen Kumar prevented the boundary. Everyone along with Kumar thought the ball had touched the fence.

Bell and Morgan walked away thinking the ball was dead and MSD dislodged the bails, and the umpires went upstairs to look if Kumar had restricted the boundary. Replay showed it was good work by Kumar and Bell was declared out.

Bell was shocked and expressed his resentment over the decision; the crowd started booing the Indian team. Indian skipper Dhoni on a request by Andrew Strauss took back the appeal and re-called Ian Bell to bat. The booing had changed to chants and cheering; captain cool left an excellent example of sportsmanship to the English crowd.

#4 Gracious Courtney Walsh

During a match of the 1987 World Cup in Lahore, Sir Courtney Walsh chose to lose the match instead of running out a player in an unfair manner.

Pakistan required 13 runs in the last over to win the game against mighty West Indies, Walsh had already conceded 11 runs off the first five balls, now the equation was two runs off the final ball.

Courtney Walsh stopped, backed out in his delivery stride but didn't run out the non-striker who was way ahead of the crease. Next ball, Abdul Qadir scored the desired runs to win the match for Pakistan, but the grace of Walsh remains forever.

#3 Gilly walks off in a World Cup Semi-final

Australian opener Adam Gilchrist walked off the field despite being given not out. It was the Semi-final of World Cup 2003, Gilchrist nicked a ball off leggie Arvind Desilva to be caught by the wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara.

The umpire rejected the appeal for caught behind but Gilchrist, being the true ambassador of the game, walked straight to the pavilion. Gilchrist's act was lauded by fans and received a lot of appreciation from former players.

Aussies are known to be quite competitive and won't leave any stone unturned especially in a Semi-final of a World Cup, but Gilly showed respectable behavior and upheld the spirit of the game. Later on, the Aussies went on to win the game, but the hearts of the fans were already won.

#2 Team India waves Sri Lankan Flag

After defeating Bangladesh in the final of Nidahas Trophy, men in Blues thanked the Sri Lankan crowd for their support. After a controversial knock-out by Bangladesh on the other night, Sri Lankan fans were left with teary eyes.

Sri Lankan crowd turned hostile against the Bangladesh team and decided to support India in the final of Tri-series. India beat Bangladesh by four wickets in the last-ball thriller courtesy of a cameo from Dinesh Karthik.

Captain Rohit Sharma thanked the Sri Lankan crowd for the support and love they offered to the Indian team. He further led the boys to wave Sri Lankan flag around the ground.

#NidahasTrophy2018Final #INDvsBAN Rohit Sharma waves Sri Lankan 🇱🇰 flag during victory lap in Colombo, after defeating Bangladesh.True #Sportsmanship pic.twitter.com/ieYCoghr4k

— Anurag Patra (@anuragpatra_) March 20, 2018

#1 NZ pays tribute to late Phillip Hughes

The accidental demise of former Australian opener Phillip Hughes left whole cricket fraternity in dismal. The trend of #keepyoubatsout became a movement across the globe with fans and cricketers posting pictures of their bats out as a tribute to the deceased cricketer.

Another touching gesture was by New Zealand Men's Cricket Team. New Zealand was playing the second test of the series against Pakistan. The Kiwis needed to win the match to level the series, despite that they decided not to bowl bouncers in the match as they were taken aback by the on-field death of Phillip Hughes.

Even, Brendon Mccullum and Kane Williamson did not celebrate their double-centuries. New Zealand players wore black bands with P.H. written on their jerseys.