5 Instances when cricketers cried in IPL

Along with being enthralling and fast-moving, cricket is also regarded as a ‘ruthless’ sport. The competitiveness in the game is unmatchable in the modern-era as the pressure keeps mounting on a player with every passing over. Furthermore, the competitiveness notches up a few bars higher when a player is playing in one of the best domestic leagues across the globe– the Indian Premier League (IPL).

IPL– since its inception– is regarded as one of the most cash-rich and competitive leagues across the globe. Be it the players, franchises or prize money associated with it– the tournament never fails to dish out enthralling fixtures for the fans.

Due to such a high level of competition, controlling emotions on the field becomes an arduous task for any player. Most cricketers have been able to control their emotions while being on the field. However, in many instances, the situation has compelled a player to burst out on the field.

There have been a few instances when a player couldn’t control his emotions on the field. Amid the shimmer and razmataz of IPL, several players have shed some tears on the field. These instances showcase how difficult it is for a player to conceal his emotions while withstanding immense pressure on the field.

Here are five such instances:

1. Andrew Tye during the mid-innings interview

While some players get emotional due to their on-field performances and spats, some players break down due to the passing away of their family members. When Kings XI Punjab encountered Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2018, Andrew Tye took 4 wickets in his spell. While that won him the purple cap, Tye won the hearts of everyone by dedicating it to his late grandmother.

While bowling, the pacer was seen kissing an armband with ‘Grandma’ written over it. When Tye was called for a mid-innings interview, he revealed that his grandmother has recently passed away. Hence, he wanted to dedicate his ‘Purple Cap’ to her.

Tye was showered with love and appreciation from every corner of the world for his heartwarming gesture. In the league which is stuffed with shimmer and glam, Tye’s gesture certainly grabbed the eyeballs and made the fans emotional.

2. Kuldeep Yadav after giving away an expensive spell

It is quite difficult for a bowler to hide his emotions after getting hammered by a batsman. India’s spin bowling stalwart Kuldeep Yadav also endured such an experience when he was literally left in tears after Moeen Ali mauled him in an IPL game.

The incident happened during the clash between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2019 at Eden Gardens. The English batsman wreaked havoc on Yadav and shellacked him for two fours and three sixes in the 16th overs. The chinaman bowler couldn’t control his emotions post the over and he broke down after conceding 27 runs in one over.

Moreover, Kuldeep finished the match with the figures of 1/59– the joint-most expensive spell by a spin bowler in the history of IPL. After the completion of the over, Yadav was spotted sitting teary-eyed on his haunches. The broadcaster replayed the stills of an emotional Yadav who was sipping water with Nitish Rana by his side to console him.

3. S Sreesanth after his spat with Harbhajan Singh

No fan can forget the on-field incident that happened between S Sreesanth and Harbhajan Singh. The incident, which took place post a match between Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians, hogged the headlines and sparked up controversy.

Harbhajan, who was an integral part of the Indian side back then, slapped Sreesanth after the match. The footage of Harbhajan slapping Sreesanth was never found but people witnessed an angry Harbhajan and an emotional Sreesanth on their TV screens. The instance happened after Kings XI Punjab was successful in registering a victory over Mumbai Indians.

However, after more than a decade, Sreesanth opened up about the controversy and said that Harbhajan never slapped him but only tried to hit him with the back of his hand. The primary reason behind Sreesanth’s crying was his helpless state of mind during that point in time. The incident is regarded as one of the most talked-about controversies in the history of Indian Premier League.

4. Sachin Baby after the defeat in IPL final

Sachin Baby couldn’t hold back his tears during the IPL 2016 final between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Virat Kohli-led side fell short by eight runs while chasing a mammoth target of 209. The pressure was mounting on both the sides as the match went on to the last over.

RCB needed 18 runs to win in the last over with the pair of Stuart Binny-Sachin Baby battling it out in the middle. However, Bhuvneshwar Kumar‘s excellent bowling turned the tide in SRH’s favour by bowling four excellent deliveries. RCB needed 14 runs off the last two balls because of Bhuvneshwar’s excellent death bowling.

As soon as Baby reached the non-striker’s end, he broke down due to the equation. In a game that was tense right from the start to the end, Baby couldn’t hold back his emotions and eventually broke down before the culmination of the match. Baby’s emotional photo also started doing rounds on social media post the match.

5. Ambati Rayudu after getting run out

Ambati Rayudu couldn’t hold back his disappointment and broke down on the field after getting run out in the match against Rajasthan Royals. Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians locked horns in IPL 2014 at Wankhede and the Rohit Sharma-led side put Royals to bat first after winning the toss. On the back of half-centuries from Sanju Samson and Karun Nair, Royals amassed a challenging total of 189 runs on the board.

Chasing 190 runs, Mumbai Indians’ Corey Anderson stole the show by smashing 95 runs off just 44 deliveries. He received support in the form of cameos by his teammates until Ambati Rayudu walked to the crease. He stole the limelight by smashing 30 runs off just 10 deliveries. Rayudu set the Wankhede stadium on fire by knocking fours and a six.

However, he couldn’t sail Mumbai’s ship to the shore as he was run out in the 15th over of the innings. Rayudu was emotional after the run-out as he couldn’t finish it off for his side. His dismal was caught by the cameras. Aditya Tare braced the crease and finished things off in style by hitting six on the very first delivery that he faced. Mumbai Indians eventually clinched the encounter by five wickets with 32 deliveries to spare.