5 recent instances of players keeping the team ahead of their families
The gentleman’s game is known for offering much glamour and stardom to the players. The level of fandom players enjoy through cricket is second to none. However, there is another side to this game as well. On several occasions, players have to hold their heart and feelings to play for their nation.
Players have shown extraordinary courage to be with their teams when a lot of problems have surrounded them back home. They took a tough call to be on the field rather than setting foot for home. Let’s see some recent instances where players have kept cricket over the family.
5. Mohammed Shami
It happened in 2016 when India was playing against New Zealand in a home Test series. Shami was struggling a lot in his personal life as his daughter was admitted to ICU. He had to go back and forth from his work location to his home in Kolkata to take care of his daughter. His daughter was recovering, and Shami decided to prefer cricket over the same. India won that series 3-0 against the Kiwis.
4. Ravi Ashwin
It happened in 2015 while India was playing against South Africa in the 4th Test in Delhi. Ashwin smashed a fine fifty to build a great partnership with Rahane. Meanwhile, his wife Prithi informed him that Chennai is facing a heavy downpour, and he was unable to contact his parents. For more than 24 hours, he didn’t hear anything from his parents, but he kept playing in full form after that. They were found to be safe after some time.
3. Jason Roy
Jason Roy was at the hospital all night with his sick baby daughter, he came back in the morning had couple hours sleep and went straight to the ground and hit that fantastic century, dedication level ???? #EngvPak pic.twitter.com/zUpBhK2mg6
— Nikhil (@CricketGuru15) May 18, 2019
In 2019, England was up against Pakistan for the ODI series just before the commencement of the World Cup. Jason scored half-centuries during the 2nd and the 3rd ODI, but after that, bad news shook him too much. His daughter was hospitalized as she was throwing up late at night and was unconscious. He remained the whole night in the hospital before 4th ODI but went back to join the team and smashed an emotional ton.
2. Brendan Taylor
Not many players from Zimbabwe get a chance to feature in the Indian Premier League, and hence Taylor wanted to make the best use of it. He was roped in by SRH in the team but didn’t play a single match. The player just got married before the tournament and had the big honeymoon trip ahead of him. He cancelled the same to mark his presence in IPL 2014.
1. Mohammed Siraj
Mohammad Siraj said that his father’s dream was that he keeps playing for India and make the country proud. Siraj’s mindset from here is fulfil his father’s dream, Virat Kohli told him to stay strong and team India supported him like a family.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 23, 2020
The most recent of such stories happened just a few days back. Mohammed Siraj earned a maiden Test call-up from the national side and was in Sydney while completing his training before he had to face a severe blow. While Siraj was in Australia, his father passed away in Hyderabad due to a lung ailment. He couldn’t return home to attend the last rites. BCCI gave him the option to fly back home, but he chose cricket over the personal loss.
