5 Cricketers who survived near-death experience

A number of cricketers have found themselves in near-death experiences.

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Wasim Akram
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Wasim Akram. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Life is a precious gift that must be lived carefully. A person drives his life himself. The decisions that you take at every point in life determines its outcome. But the irony of life lies in the fact that it’s not just you who is in control of it.

One little mistake by you or someone else is good enough to snatch away this precious gift. Their have been many instances of people experiencing events that could have well put an end to their lives. But they somehow managed to tell the tale.

The world of cricket is no stranger to such events. A number of cricketers have found themselves in such situations but they managed to see another day.

Here are 5 cricketers who survived a near-death experience:

1. Karun Nair

Karun Nair
Karun Nair. (Photo Source: Twitter)

2016 was a bittersweet year for Karun Nair. It was in this very year that he became the first Indian cricketer to convert a debut Test century into a triple ton when he scored a marvellous 303* to put Team India in command against England.

But the same year also saw him being at the receiving end of a spine-chilling experience. In July 2016, Karun visited Kerala’s Sree Parthasarathy temple to offer his prayers. He then took part in a spiritual celebration along with other devotees.

Spiritual journeys often bring calm to people’s lives, but it all took a u-turn when the boat carrying Karun Nair and other devotees overturned in the river. Strong currents in the river were too hot to handle for the boat and all the devotees soon found themselves into the water screaming for help.

What made matters worse for Karun was his inability to swim. Hence, he had to be rescued by other people. He could have easily found himself on the other side of his life had he not been saved by some courageous people and hence he must consider himself very lucky to have survived.

2. Nicholas Pooran

Nicholas Pooran
Nicholas Pooran. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Nicholas Pooran, the swashbuckling southpaw from Trinidad is one of the mainstays of the current West Indian team. But his journey to this team was not at all an easy one. He has not only battled poor form but also a very dangerous event that posed a threat to his life.

Preparing for his maiden first-class season, Nicholas Pooran was on his way home after a fruitful training session. But what followed took a nasty toll on this cricketer. Pooran lost control of his car after having to put brakes in a hurry. His car was smashed into the side of the road and matters worsened when he got unconscious after being hit by another car from behind.

Cricket was farthest from his mind at this point as he was not even sure of any life ahead. Thankfully, Pooran gained consciousness and the brilliance in the medical field helped him on his way back to cricket. A near-death experience that shocked the cricket world.

3. Jesse Ryder

Jesse Ryder
Jesse Ryder. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

This player is one of the most fearless batsmen to have played the game of cricket. His enormous strength was always on display in those gigantic shots that he played. But his aggressive attitude did not always bring glory to him. To celebrate a successful domestic season, Jesse Ryder set out with his teammates to a bar in Christchurch. He was just a few days away from a stint with Delhi in the IPL. But he did not have even a faint idea of what was about to happen.

Ryder found himself in an intense physical brawl with a group of men outside the bar. The incident took place twice during the same night and Ryder was critically injured because of the same. Jesse was in a state of induced coma after having sustained a severe blow to his head.

Ryder could never really play cricket the same way and that night brought a promising international career to a brief halt. In all these years, he hasn’t expressed disappointment for losing out on a major part of his international career. But instead has considered himself a blessed lad for making it back alive from a dangerous event.

4. Dinesh Chandimal

Dinesh Chandimal
Dinesh Chandimal. (Photo Source: Twitter)

He was the one who played a key role during Sri Lankan cricket’s transition phase, post the retirement of legends like Mahela and Sangakkara. Chandimal’s all round skills brought a lot of depth to the Sri Lankan squad and he led them to numerous victories.

His ability to stay tough during grim situations has been the key in his development so far. But what was it that turned him into a tough individual? The saddening events of 26 December 2004 were the reason for the same.

In his hometown of Ambalangoda, a 15-year-old Chandimal sat at home watching TV, just like any other kid does. And that is when he heard his mother shouting like never before. There were screams all around as the people of the village ran desperately for their lives. It had been attacked by a deadly Tsunami.

Chandimal saw the decimation of his house in front of his eyes and still considers himself lucky to have survived that day. He ran away in the nick of time to see another day in his life.

5. Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Akram was the player who provided Pakistan’s bowling attack with some acceleration in the 90s. He is also known to the cricketing world as the Sultan of swing. The man who was instrumental in Pakistan’s maiden World Cup once found himself at the receiving end of ugly road rage.

The security of cricketers in Pakistan has been a hugely debated matter for a decade now. And things could have got worse when Akram met with an accident in Karachi. On his way to the national stadium, Akram’s car got hit by a speeding vehicle.

But when asked to step out of the car, the driver shot at Akram’s vehicle and fled away. The bullet could have easily cost Akram his life and the world of cricket could have lost a stalwart. The pacer got lucky to have escaped unhurt from the incident but surely experienced a situation that could have put an end to his life.

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