Here are some players who played through injuries in cricket

An activity like cricket involves a lot of potential for injury. owing to the intensive nature of the sport, we frequently witness bowlers leaving a match owing to a torn hamstring or muscle, or batsmen taking blows to various body parts. While the problem cannot be prevented, its appearance can be decreased if the players put a lot of effort into improving their fitness and eating habits. In the course of the sport’s history, there have been numerous instances of players who, despite being hurt, remained to play for the team and made every effort to avoid a loss. Their bravery will be remembered throughout the cricket community, and young cricketers will undoubtedly get inspiration from it. Here are some players who played through injuries in cricket.

Anil Kumble

This terrifying incident occurred at Antigua in 2002 during the fourth Test match between India and the West Indies. A bouncer from Mervyn Dillon struck Kumble in the mouth during his 6(17) knock, forcing him to bat while spewing blood.

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India did manage to score a huge total of 513-9 in the first innings, but they were also without the services of experienced spinner Kumble, who was forced to miss the rest of the series due to a jaw injury.

Kumble stepped out to bowl with a bandaged face and bowled 14 overs, even taking the wicket of Lara, despite the fact that his flight was booked for the following day. The hosts’ first innings score of 629-9 made it impossible for the game to end other than in a draw.

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Graeme Smith

The incident happened in Sydney, Australia, during the third Test match between Australia and South Africa. When Australia batted first, they scored 445 thanks to innings of 138 (250) by Clarke and 64 (124) by Johnson. Harris and Steyn each took three wickets for the Proteas.

Smith got South Africa’s innings off to a fast start with 30(31) that included 5 boundaries while playing with McKenzie. Before he could go any farther, Johnson threw a lightning-fast ball that fractured the southpaw’s left hand by rapping it. The Proteas team was bowled out for 327 after the injury forced him to leave the pitch, giving the hosts a crucial advantage.

In the second innings, the Australians again batted with confidence, scoring 257-4 and giving the visitors a target of 376. Since the task was never going to be simple, South Africa was down to 257-9 with only Smith still to play.

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Smith’s decision to step out to bat while wearing a bandage and after receiving injections and doses of painkillers shocked the cricketing community to its core. He did stay at the crease for 17 balls before a Johnson delivery slipped through his defences and helped Australia in taking the Test by 103 runs.

Shane Watson

Players batting through injuries in cricket is somewhat expected at the international level. But no one expected it to be the case in franchise cricket. This sad incident happened at IPL 2019 final game between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. With the bat, MI scored a respectable 149 in their 20 overs, thanks to innings of 41 (25), by Pollard, and 29 (17), by de Kock. Throughout the innings, Watson incurred bruises on his knees but kept them a secret from others.

Watson, who was injured while batting, scored key innings of 80 (59) to keep CSK ahead in the final match. Unfortunately, the player was out in the last over while attempting to complete a double run, and the yellow army lost by just 1 run, allowing MI to win the trophy for a record-breaking fourth time.

Yuvraj Singh

One of the best all-around players to represent his nation, Yuvraj overcame lung cancer and subpar bat performance to lead India to their second World Cup in 2011. During India’s pre-World Cup trip to South Africa, the man vomited blood and didn’t appear in any way fit to participate in the prestigious competition.

Doctors had warned Yuvraj not to play against Australia in the quarterfinal after he had managed to play during the group stages; doing so could have even cost him his life. However, he took a chance and pulled off an all-around effort, picking 2-44 and scoring 57(65) to lead India into a match against Pakistan in the semifinals.

India defeated the Pakistan team and the Lankan team in the finals to win the cup for the first time in 28 long years. Yuvraj had to pay a high price for it because his tumour developed into cancer and he had to go through three cycles of chemotherapy in the US before he could finally return to his country of origin in April 2012.

Also Read: Top 10 forgotten IPL stars