5 Instances when players came out to bat with serious injuries

"Every champion was once a contender that refused to give up", cricket, our beautiful sport is full of champions, champions who refuse to give up. Injuries are an inevitable part of the game, every sportsperson is habitual to injuries but coming back from them is a mammoth task.

In the past, cricketers have put their bodies on the line for their country, for their team and their love for the sport. Yuvraj Singh was diagnosed with cancer after the 2011 World Cup, but despite struggling since the beginning of the World Cup, his faith, his courage and his determination helped him to move on the tough road ahead.

Yesterday, the Sri Lankan side was battling it out with Bangladesh in the first game of the 2018 Asia Cup. Tamim Iqbal was hit on the wrist by a Suranga Lakmal delivery in the second over of the game; the Bangladesh opener has been ruled out of the tournament due to a fractured wrist.

As the news of a fractured wrist broke up, it was announced that Tamim has been ruled out of the Asia Cup, but the spirit of a warrior wouldn't die. As Bangladesh lost their ninth wicket, Mushfiqur Rahim looked at the dressing room with a glimmer of hope in his eyes, to everyone's surprise, Tamim Iqbal was walking out to bat.

With a hole in his glove, he marched on. He marched on to the centre where he had to negotiate one delivery before Rahim would take over. With one hand off the bat, Tamim managed to tap the ball onto the leg side. It was Rahim's prowess which guided Bangladesh to a respectable total after that.

Tamim's courage lifted the spirit of the Bangladesh side, and the hunger to win was evident on their faces. Tamim gave it his all, the Bangladesh side gave it their all, and at the end, they managed to beat Sri Lanka in what can be called as a one-sided encounter.

Tamim made us all nostalgic, let's go down the memory lane and look at some of the best innings while battling a serious injury:

#5 Ian Bell (2010)

England v Bangladesh, Bristol, 2010.

Bristol 2010, England taking on Bangladesh in the second one-day international of the three-match series. The hosts were coming off a win in the first ODI against Bangladesh and it was important for them to continue the momentum in the second ODI. Bangladesh batted first and posted 236 on the board.

While attempting a catch, England's Ian Bell landed awkwardly on his foot. He was sent to the hospital immediately to have the necessary scans. England was chasing a total of 237, the chase seemed easy for this star-studded England line-up but Bangladesh had other plans.

They restricted England to 227 for 9. The Bangladeshi side began their celebrations as Ian Bell had a fractured metatarsal. As Jonathan Trott started shaking hands with the Bangladeshi side, the crowd roared. Ian Bell, who could barely walk without crutches was coming out to bat.

England required 10 runs to win when he came out to the middle. Jonathan Trott smashed one to the boundary before edging one to the wicketkeeper. England lost the game but Ian Bell, with his courage, won hearts. Despite Bangladesh's victory, Ian Bell was the star of the game, the champion of the game.

#4 Sachin Tendulkar (1999)

India v Pakistan, Chennai 1999

One of the most highly anticipated clashes in world cricket. The Pakistani side had travelled to India for a test series after an eleven-year gap. The first test was at Chennai and Pakistan was batting first. The neighbouring country scored 238 on the first-day pitch. India in reply scored 16 runs more than Pakistan.

The Pakistani batsman toiled hard in the second innings to score 286 with Shahid Afridi scoring 141. Chasing a target of 271 was a humongous task on a rank turner in Chennai. The fourth innings in Chennai were always considered hard as the bowl turned off the footmarks.

The Indian team was reduced to 82 for 5 before Tendulkar began his magic. His innings defied character, Tendulkar's back pain was increasing after each delivery but the master blaster decided to defeat his pack pain to change the fortune for India. He managed a wonderful partnership with Nayan Mongia.

Tendulkar scored 136 off 273 balls, the conditions and the occasion make this innings one to remember for the ages. India failed to chase the target as Tendulkar fell prey to Saqlain Mushtaq. Even after being a part of the losing side, Sachin won the man of the match for his stellar performance.

#3 Michael Clarke (2014)

Bouncers!

South Africa versus Australia, 2014. The three-match test series was all square as the scoreline suggested 1-1 after two games. The third test was to be played at Cape Town, and both sides had everything to play for as the series was on the line. Australia batted first on a pitch that would assist the bowlers.

The Kangaroos posted 494 on the board with the help of centuries from David Warner and Michael Clarke. Warner hammered the bowlers as he scored 135 off just 152 balls. On the other hand, Australia's Captain Michael Clarke struggled. Clarke came out at number four and took repeated blows on his body.

The tall, lanky Morne Morkel was going through one of his most exceptional spells as Clarke was pushed onto the backfoot. The Aussie skipper was hit on numerous occasions, on the gloves, on the shoulder, and on the ribs. Morkel was steaming in from around the wicket, with a man in the deep Clarke had no option but to try and duck.

This was one of the most excellent innings of Clarke's career, he scored an unbeaten 161 off 301 balls but more than the runs, it was the battle that made the Australian fans smile. Later, it was revealed that Clarke had suffered a broken shoulder while being hit from Morne Morkel's bouncer.

Clarke batted through enormous pain as he dealt with a broken shoulder during his innings. Australia won the game as Warner scored another century in the second innings.

#2 Steve Waugh (2001)

England v Australia, The Oval 2001

In the third test of the 2001 Ashes series, Steve Waugh injured his calf at Trent Bridge. Australia sealed the series but Waugh wanted to return for the final test. England had defeated Australia in the fourth test as Mark Butcher played a massive role in England's victory at Headingley.

Steve Waugh was not even 50% fit when Australia's playing XI was announced. He spent most of his time with the physio to help him get to his level best. When Waugh started his innings at The Oval, he could hardly run. He powered the Aussies to 641 for 4 as he scored a match-winning 157 not out.

By the end of his innings, Waugh could barely stand. Australia won the match by an innings and 15 runs but Waugh did a lot of damage. The Aussies won the series 4-1, Waugh's courage in the final test was appreciated by all but on his way back home he developed a blood clot.

Later, he had to undergo treatment for a Deep Vein Thrombosis. This kept Waugh out of the game for a bit.

#1 Graeme Smith (2009)

Iconic picture, Eh?

Graeme Smith heaped numerous praises for coming out to bat in this test. South Africa required to bat out 8.2 overs to secure a draw, at the start of the day Smith had no plans to bat with a broken arm and injured elbows. As South Africa's 9th wicket fell, the crowd applauded, Smith who had already padded up came out to bat.

Smith was bearing pain with every defence, the Australian bowlers will breathing fire at the moment. Even before his finger injury tasks such as brushing his teeth were too painful. Morkel tied his shoelaces as he came out to bat. Smith had a few chances to leave the ball, defending the ball was hurting his hand more with each delivery.

Leaving the ball alone was slightly easier for Smith. The duo battled for 27 deliveries before Smith's stumps were uprooted by a delivery from Mitchell Johnson. South Africa won the 3 match series 2-1.