Ten incidents to remind us that Cricket is still a gentleman's game

# 2 – The Chennai Supporters, India vs Pakistan, 1999

We remember this as the Test where the Indian batting let Sachin Tendulkar down. What we don’t remember is what happened after the match.

Prior to the series, the tension between the two countries was at an all time high. Both countries had conducted Nuclear tests in 1998 and the infiltration of Pakistani soldiers into the Indian boundary was increasing.

In the match, India needed 271 runs to win. They were soon 81 for 5. Tendulkar steadied the Indian innings with a 138 run partnership with Nayan Mongia and then added 38 runs with Sunil Joshi, all under tremendous pain. After Tendulkar got out, the rest of the Indian line up couldn’t manage the remaining 17 runs as they lost 3 wickets for 4 runs. The Chennai crowd was left heartbroken.

But, the Chennai crowd didn’t boo the Indian players nor did it throw tantrums at the Pakistanis. The Chennai people waited for the Pakistanis to finish their celebrations and started applauding them. The Pakistanis realising this went on a lap of honour to appreciate what the people of Chennai had done.

Wasim Akram, years after the incident, commented that it was his favorite moment in India.

# 1 – Andrew Flintoff consoles Brett Lee instead of celebrating, Ashes 2005

Australia needed 279 to win. On the fourth day, England needed only 2 wickets and Australia needed more than 100 runs. But, Shane Warne and Brett Lee put forward a brave fight. Warne made 42 and was dismissed. Kasprowicz came into the crease. Both Lee and him dealt in singles.

Australia needed only four runs to register a memorable win. Brett Lee took a single and gave the strike to Kasprowicz. Under disputable circumstances, Kasprowicz was declared out to a bouncer by Andrew Fintoff. Nonetheless, England won one of the greatest test matches of our times and tied the Ashes 1 – 1.

What followed was even more special. Instead of celebrating a famous win, Flintoff went down and consoled Brett Lee who was on his feet, sobbing. The gesture is still considered as one of the greatest displays of mutual respect and sportsmanship in the entire sports fraternity.