8 instances which prove that Sachin Tendulkar is the epitome of sportsmanship

Walking off in a high-octane clash despite being ruled not out; India vs West Indies, 2011

Cricket, as much as it is about skills matched up against talent, is also a battle between principles of honesty and ethics alongside the existing laws of the game.

Mankading is one, walking voluntarily is another. How often does a batsman, grappling to emerge victorious, put principles as his primary agenda in a professional set-up, where a triumph is often considered as the end all and be all in cricket.

It was therefore, refreshing to see the likes of Tendulkar upholding moral virtues, even on a competitive arena like international cricket.

During the World Cup clash with West Indies in 2011 at Chennai, Tendulkar, in quest of his 100th ton, decided to walk off even though he had been adjudged not out by umpire Steve Davis.

In the very first over of the match, a Ravi Rampaul delivery beat the champion and even though it was not the first time that Tendulkar had walked, placing integrity over and above everything else in a high-octane clash revealed its own tale.