Friendship Day Special: Top 6 Friendships in Cricket history

Friendship plays an integral role in every aspect of life. It is essential exists everywhere. So, Cricket is not an exception. On this beautiful occasion of Friendship Day here we bring to you 5 of the greatest and most special friendships in Indian cricket history.

Kumar Sangakarra- Mahela Jayawardene

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Kumara Sangakarra and Mahel jayawardene, two world class batsmen. From being rivals in school days to the best buddies in cricket. They have come a long way. Whether it is one’s lean patch, or prime form, they never had differences. Both played a major role in Sri Lanka’s success. Having shared the field together for 126 times in tests, 276 times in the one day games and for 48 matches in T20s, they have amassed over 13,368 runs with thirty-six 100 plus stands and sixty-two fifty plus stands. These clearly are an evidence to the fact that nobody can deny they dominated their era ! The island nation will never produce such a duo !Though Jayawardene has retired from all forms of the game, Sangakarra has a couple of tests to go before he hangs his boots.

One of the highlights of their partnership was in Colombo against South Africa in the year 2006, when they added a mammoth 620 runs in partnership and claimed the record for the highest partnership in Tests.They had a sweet ending together, as they won the 2014 T20 World cup, beating India in the finals. They retired from t20Is and ODIs together against India and South Africa in World Cup 2015 respectively. 

Their friendship grows stronger as post retirement, they have launched many ventures. ‘Ministry of Crab’ a sea-food hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is their joint venture.

Sehwag - Gambhir

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Not only have they formed the one of the best and formidable opening pairs, but also they have a good bonding off-field. Their tales of exploits on the field are endless. Both hailing from the capital city of India- Delhi, they have come up the ranks to the national squad together. Playing together for India and Delhi in the Ranji trophy, strengthened their friendship.

Another aspect in their friendship is that they complement each other very well. Like on field, Sehwag is the one who takes charge every time, and on the other end Gambhir secures one end so that he can play freely. But when Sehwag is in his lean patch, gambhir makes sure that the team score keeps ticking.

They have batted together in 70 tests, scoring 3854 runs iun partnership, the 11^th in Test cricket history. Though, sadly Cricket fans will never witness them bnat again together in international cricket. Both of them have lost the faith in selectors due to poor form and fitness.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni – Suresh Raina

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One of the best middle order pair currently in international cricket, MS Dhoni and Raina can take on any opposition in world cricket on their day. Their record speaks it all. They share the record of the most successful pair in ODI Cricket (in terms of average).

In 68 innings that they have played together, they have scored 3563 runs in partnership, 196* being their highest at a staggering average of 60.38 with nine 100 plus and eighteen 50 plus stands. They debuted for India almost together. And from then on, their partnership has grew stronger. They have also played together in IPL for the Chennai Super Kings.

Sunil gavaskar – Gundappa Vishwanath

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Though many are not aware of this friendship, but Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Vishwanath are one of the best mates. And further, their friendship went to another level after Vishwanath married Kavita, Gavaskar’s sister.

From the early days, Gavaskar has had a lot of respect for Vishwanath, he always praises the batsman from Karnataka.

Not mincing words, the man who made 10,122 Test runs, showered  praise on Vishy (Vishwanath), at a ceremony.

"I have seen situations when we all struggled against the opposition," Gavaskar began. "But then Vishy would score off the good deliveries. The rest if us, we thought we could keep out the good balls and score off the bad ones. But Vishy, he had four-five strokes to the good balls that were bowled to him.", Gavaskar mentioned.

Srinath – Prasad

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Two world class bowlers, produced by Karnataka, Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad were very good friends.

Hailing from the same state, they played first class cricket together for Karnataka and then went on to represent India. Both being fast bowlers, their mindset and thinking was similar. While one swung the ball, the other relied on accuracy in line and length.In their careers, the joint ploys executed by them have resulted in their success.

  

Yuvraj – Bhajji

Who would gainsay that these two aren’t best buddies? Over the years they have had some great moments on and off the field.Both coming from the city of Punjab, share great bonding. They have now been friends for over a decade and nothing seems to stop them. Their pranks in the dressing room are the funniest. Though recently, both had a rough patch. While Harbhajan Singh has made a comeback to the side, it will be interesting to see if Yuvraj makes the cut soon and joins his mate