13 Cricketers who played with injuries

Cricket is one of the most demanding sports in the world, and while it isn't a contact sport like Football and Rugby, players often are on the receiving end of serious injuries on the field of play. There have been several instances of players leaving the field after suffering an injury in the course of the match. But over the years, there have been some remarkable incidents of players pushing the pain barrier in order to deny the opposition an upper hand in the match. There has been numerous bowlers and batters who have put their teams first instead of themselves and risked fatal injuries just to see their team's through. We list the twelve instances when players showed incredible resilience and bravery on the cricketing pitch while playing with injuries. 1. Naseem Shah (Pakistan) The 19-year-old right-arm pacer Naseem Shah debuted for the Pakistani team in T20Is in arguably the grandest fixture in international cricket, against arch-rivals India. While many have crumbled in the epic clash over the years, the youngster showcased maturity beyond his years in the Asia Cup match. The fast bowling sensation was spearheading the bowling unit in the absence of the injured Shaheen Afridi and gave his side a terrific start as he dismissed Indian opener KL Rahul for a golden duck in just his second delivery in T20I cricket, defending a modest total. Naseem Shah was a constant menace for the Indian batters with his rapid pace and impeccable lines. But in an inspiring display of character, the youngster bowled the 18th over of the Indian innings with severe cramps in his leg. With the match hanging by a thread, Naseem completed his spell even though he was visibly struggling to walk, displaying tremendous commitment and valor for the team's cause. 2. Anil Kumble (India) The legendary leg spinner from India was renowned not only for his skillful bowling but also for his grit and determination on the field. Anyone who has followed the sport over the last two decades could never forget the iconic image of Anil Kumble bowling with his face swathed in bandages. It was the year 2002 when India squared off against West Indies in the fourth Test match of the series at Antigua. Anil Kumble was promoted up the order during the Indian batting innings, a move which did not go down well with the Caribbean pacers as he was greeted with a fierce bouncer by Mervyn Dillon, which rattled his jaw. Kumble was shaken and spat blood but was determined to carry on. Later in the match, it was revealed that he had suffered a broken jaw and will not play any further part in the match. But with some visible turn on offer on the pitch and India lacking a front-line spinner apart from him, Kumble took to the field, to the shock of everyone present at the venue. He bowled 14 consecutive overs and managed the prized scalp of Brian Lara even though wincing in pain. “It was one of the bravest things I’ve seen on the field of play,” said Viv Richards later on Kumble's unbelievable defiance. 3. Malcolm Marshall (West Indies) The late Malcolm Marshall, regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, was a personality that any team would have loved to have in their ranks. The fearsome pacer had rattled numerous batters with his bowling, and he was as strong mentally as he was physically. The Barbadian suffered a broken thumb in the Headingley Test of 1984 against England. But despite that injury, he walked in to bat with a smile on his face. Marshall batted with one hand, surviving bravely against the English pacers, ensuring Larry Gomes to his century. Marshall's heroics didn't end just there, the pacer, to the surprise of the onlookers at the venue, opened the bowling with Joel Garner. He tore the English batters apart with a sizzling display of fast bowling, scalping 7/53, with a broken thumb in two places. 4. Gary Kirsten (South Africa) One of South Africa's most accomplished cricketing figures, Gary Kirsten was as tough as they came in the game. The southpaw wasn't the most gifted batter but made a name for himself by sticking around in the toughest of situations. His act of bravery against Pakistan in the 2003 Lahore Test is a testament to his resolute character. The Protea took a nasty bouncer from one of the fastest bowlers of all time, Shoaib Akhtar. The grill bounced off Kirsten's face following the ferocious impact from the delivery. The batter instantly took to the ground, bleeding considerably as players from both teams ran to his aid. Kirsten had to retire hurt as his nose was broken due to the impact of the bouncer. But when the South African team were in a spot of bother in the second innings, the former Indian head coach walked out to bat, as his face was covered in bruise and hard to even look at, scoring a gritty 46. 5. Graeme Smith (South Africa) Another Protean on this list was known for his tremendous grit and defiance during his playing career. Graeme Smith led South African Test team to unprecedented heights during his tenure, leading from the front on several occasions. The 2009 Sydney Test against the mighty Australian team brought a resolute Graeme Smith to the fore as the opening batter suffered a broken hand after being struck by a thunderous delivery from Australia's Mitchell Johnson. Smith was unable to carry on with his further involvement in doubt. But with a team in disarray and desperate for survival, Smith came out to bat at no. 10 with injections and painkillers, battling with immense pain in a show of ultimate bravado, only to be dismissed with ten balls remaining in the match. 6. Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh) One of the if not the most celebrated Bangladeshi batter of all time Tamim Iqbal, is the team's leading run-scorer in ODI cricket with 8074 runs to his name and will be eyeing that elusive 10,000 run-mark in the 50-over format. The elegant southpaw made the headlines in the 2018 Asia Cup clash against Sri Lanka when he batted with one hand after suffering a wrist fracture. Tamim was showered with applause from the cricketing fraternity after his heroics with the bat for the team. The opener was taken off the field after he was struck by delivery on his wrist. He was taken to the hospital for a quick scan which revealed a fracture, ruling him out of the Asia Cup. But the batter defied the warnings from the doctors and went out to bat again when the ninth Bangladeshi wicket fell. He batted with just one arm, surviving at one end, while the well-set Mushfiqur Rahim did the scoring from the other end. 7. MS Dhoni (India) India's most celebrated and successful captain of all time, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is regarded as one of the greatest wicketkeepers to have ever donned the gloves. Dhoni's commitment to the team's cause was unparalleled as he kept wicket for the Indian team even with blurred vision on an instance. India were engaged in a three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe and during the third and final match of the series, one of the bails flew inside Dhoni's helmet, injuring his eye when he was bowled while batting for India. The Indian skipper kept wickets even after that injury, and it was in one of his social media posts where the fans witnessed the extent of his injury as the Indian star had a bloodied eye which was scary to look at. "That's what happens when u get hit by bails, lucky only had to keep wickets with blurred vision and pain," Dhoni had written in his post. 8. Shikhar Dhawan (India) Shikhar Dhawan has been one of the most consistent Indian batters in white ball cricket over the last decade, with the southpaw being one of the mainstays of the ODI team. The unassuming batter has a cheerful essence on and off the pitch but knows a thing or two about digging in for the team in precarious situations. The incident took place in India's 2019 World Cup clash against defending champions Australia when a short ball from Pat Cummins rose viciously to hit Dhawan's gloves. Although the southpaw didn't show any sign of pain instantly, the Indian physio ran to his aid soon after. The Indian star had no clue that he had suffered a broken thumb and continued to bat, amassing 93 runs since the injury, taking his tally to a brilliant 117 in the match. His innings proved pivotal for India, who triumphed over the Aussies, at the expense of Dhawan, who was ruled out of the tournament due to a fractured thumb. 9. Shane Watson (Australia) The Australian cricket team is renowned for producing some tough cookies over the years, But none of them were as loved as Shane Watson for his heroics with the Chennai Super Kings in the 2019 IPL final against Mumbai Indians. The Aussie all-rounder injured his knee early in the second innings when he dived to make it to the crease while batting. The swashbuckling batter was seen bleeding from his knee underneath the pads but carried on batting despite his injury. Watson complied a valiant 59-ball 80 and was run out in the final over of the final as Mumbai Indians defeated CSK by a solitary run. The Australian cricketer received six stitches on his knee after the finale and made a special place in the hearts of every CSK fan for his heroic display. 10. Michael Clarke (Australia) Australia and South Africa entangled in some epic Test matches over the last two decades, with both sides featuring some of the most destructive fast bowlers in the world. Former Australian captain Michael Clarke was on the receiving end of some lethal pace bowling in 2014. The third and final Test match between South Africa and Australia at Capetown in 2014 produced one of the bravest knocks in red-ball cricket as Michael Clarke recorded a defiant unbeaten 161 to help Australia claim the series 2-1. Clarke survived a barrage of bouncers in a fiery spell from Morne Morkel, who hit the Australian batter all over the body multiple times. After the match, scans revealed that Clarke had suffered a fractured shoulder during his innings when a ball struck the top of his shoulder. He was sidelined for a considerable amount of time following his bravado against the Proteas. 11. Nathan Lyon (Australia) On Day 4 of the second Test of the Ashes 2023 at the iconic Lord's cricket ground in London, Nathan Lyon outperformed when he walked out to bat amid a severe injury. Australia had lost nine wickets and it looked like they would declare due to the unavailability of their No. 11 batter. Then entered Nathan Lyon, hobbling into the ground amid a huge round of applause and a standing ovation from the spectators. Lyon was seen walking on crutches before the game, but he showed great grit and determination and walked in to bat, thereby adding crucial runs towards the end. He stood on the field for 27 minutes, hit a brilliant four while struggling to even stand, and also hopped for a single while in pain. Lyon's efforts were lauded by one and all. It was then revealed that skipper Pat Cummins advised him not to walk out to bat, but Lyon insisted. Lyon's wicket was the last, as Australia were bundled out for 279 in the second innings, thereby setting a 371-run target for the hosts to chase. 12. Rishabh Pant Rishabh Pant. (Photo source: BCCI) India vice-captain Rishabh Pant sustained an injury on the opening day of the fourth Test in Manchester but returned to bat the next day despite suffering a fracture in his right foot. Pant was attempting a reverse scoop off Chris Woakes when the ball struck his foot. He winced in pain and received immediate medical attention from the physio. However, he was forced to retire hurt and leave the field. After a medical examination, it was confirmed that he had fractured his foot and was advised to rest for six to eight weeks. Remarkably, despite the pain and medical advice, Pant walked out to bat on Day 2 at Old Trafford. As he hobbled down from the pavilion, loud cheers erupted from the Indian supporters in the crowd. He limped his way to the middle, and joined Washington Sundar at the crease. 13. Chris Woakes: Chris Woakes (Source: Jio Hotstar) During the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, English batter Chris Woakes walked out to bat on the final morning of the fifth Test at The Oval despite nursing a suspected shoulder dislocation. With his left arm strapped inside his jumper and barely moving, Woakes walked up to help his team cross over the line during the final moments of the Test match. England needed just 17 runs to seal the series 3-1, but with only one wicket in hand, Woakes, who had injured himself while fielding on the opening day and was expected to take no further part in the game. He was seen changing into his whites on Sunday evening and even practiced batting one-handed in the nets. However, India registered a narrow six-run win at the end.

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13 Cricketers who played with injuries

We list the twelve instances when players showed incredible resilience and bravery on the cricketing pitch while playing with injuries.

13. Chris Woakes:

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