- Shamser Khalid
5 Iconic Cricketer Friendships
It is not uncommon for different cricket players to be friends with one another, even when they end up on different teams. There are also plenty of cricketers who get so close that they get recognized for their friendship with one another. Some cricketer friendships even end up being famous over time. Whether it be because of their antics on social media or moments caught between them on and off the field, there are plenty of cricket player friendships that have become fan favorites. Here are some iconic cricketer friendships that developed over the years:
Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers
Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers have a special friendship that has captured the hearts of many in India. They may have played for different countries, but when they joined forces for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2011, something just clicked between them. It's been a decade since then, and their bond has only grown stronger over time.
Whether they're batting together and smashing boundaries on the field or sharing fun memories in the dressing room, the friendship between Kohli and ABD is truly special.
AB de Villiers has the highest admiration for Virat Kohli, considering him to be the best player on the planet. He believes that Virat deserves all the accolades that come his way and is confident that he'll continue to be the world's best player for years to come.
Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir
Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir were two very different opening batsmen, but that didn't stop them from becoming great friends. As they say, friendship can happen between anyone, and this was the case for these two.
Virender Sehwag once paid Gautam Gambhir the ultimate compliment, saying that after Sunil Gavaskar, India had never had an opener as good as Gambhir.
After Sehwag retired from cricket, Gambhir paid him a heartfelt tribute. He emphasized that it's a common mistake to think that people with identical mindsets will get along well. In their case, it was two very different people who truly understood each other. Gambhir spoke highly of Sehwag, calling him India's greatest opening batsman and a true match-winner. He even went so far as to say that there will never be another player like Sehwag.
Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene
In Sri Lanka, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene are as revered as Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly are in India. These two cricket legends redefined the game in their island nation and have an unbreakable bond.
Their friendship started when they were just 15-16 years old and grew stronger as they represented Sri Lanka on the cricket field. They're so close that Mahela's wife even served as the maid of honor at Sangakkara's wedding.
When it was Mahela's turn to tie the knot, Sangakkara was supposed to be his best man, but he couldn't make it due to their tour in India. To this day, they joke about it, showing just how tight their friendship is.
Adam Zampa and Marcus Stoinis
Cricket fans can't help but adore the bromance between Adam Zampa and Marcus Stoinis, an Australian duo that gives Jai and Viru from Sholay a run for their money when it comes to friendship.
Zampa and Stoinis have played together for Australia and the Melbourne Stars, and fans have seen them share some hilarious banter and cheeky moments. Zampa has even shown his brotherly love for Stoinis by kissing him on the cheek and playing with his hair.
Their delightful connection is loved not just by fans, but by players and commentators as well. Zampa and Stoinis have a special bond that can't be broken.
Sir Ian Botham and Sir Vivian Richards
Two legendary names in cricketing history, Sir Ian Botham and Sir Vivian Richards share a bond that is truly special.
Their friendship started when they played for Somerset in County cricket and even lived together in the same house. Together, they raised the standards of the game and cricket owes them a great deal.
Despite belonging to different countries, Botham and Richards have been there for each other through thick and thin. They consider each other as brothers and remain close even after their retirement. Their friendship is an inspiration to cricket fans.
