Spirit Of August 3: 5 Iconic Friendships Of Indian Cricket That Went Beyond Boundaries

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma [Source: AFP Media]

Cricket has always been more than just a game of individual brilliance. It thrives on partnerships, understanding, and bonds that transcend the fencing ropes of the ground. The Indian cricket team has been a witness to several iconic friendships that have been known for their off-field chemistry, along with the on-field partnerships. 

These partnerships were not just about shared hotel rooms or dinner conversations. They represented trust, sacrifice, and an understanding that often turned games in India's favour. Here is a look at the five such friendships in Indian cricket that made headlines with both their on-field and off-field chemistry.

1. Sachin Tendulkar And Sourav Ganguly

The 'Prince of Calcutta' and the 'God of Cricket' formed one of the most prolific opening partnerships in the game. In 136 ODI matches, the duo stitched together 6,609 runs with 21 century partnerships, a world record. The left-right combination and the understanding between the duo were a nightmare for even the best of the bowling attacks during their era. 

Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly [Source: @kiran9_kumar/x.com]

Talking about the off-field chemistry of the two players, they have shared some very humorous moments. From Sachin enjoying a Bengali lunch at Sourav's residence, to Ganguly calling Sachin the best captain he has played under. From Sachin's prank on Sourav waking up to a flooded hotel room in the under-19 days, to Ganguly teaching Sachin Bengali while batting - the moments are numerous and invaluable. While batting, they showed an understanding and chemistry that extended beyond the cricket field.

2. MS Dhoni And Suresh Raina

When it comes to unwavering support and emotional stability in a friendship, the relationship between MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina stands apart as an iconic one. In case of their on-field exploits, the duo batted together on 73 occasions in ODIs, in which they scored 3,585 runs at an average of 56.90 with nine century stands.

MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina [Source: @sportsflashes/x.com]

While the numbers show the mutual understanding between the two, the moments off the field show the deep bond they shared. MS once said in an interview that while CSK was being built during the inaugural season of IPL, he had only one name as the vice-captain of the team, and that was Suresh Raina. Later, Raina deciding to step away from cricket on the same day as Dhoni was an example of the dedication 'Chinna Thala' had for 'Thala'.

3. Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli

In the initial days, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were perceived as rivals as they were eyeing similar spots in the Indian team. However, as they settled down in the highest level of cricket, Rohit and Kohli formed one of the most formidable partnerships for India. In ODI cricket, they batted together on 99 occasions, where they had scored 5,315 runs at an average of 56.54 with 18 100+ runs stands. 

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli [Source: @asmemesss/x.com]

The fact that they are the second most successful pair in India's ODI history is a testament to how deeply these two understood each other's game. When it comes to off-the-field relations, there have been speculations of rifts between the two. But their on-field gestures and statements about each other often revealed otherwise.

When asked about each other's lean patches during the captaincy stint of the other, both have called the other the world's best in their role and backed them without any conditions. The friendship between the two became so iconic that the fans named them 'Ro-Ko'. Coincidentally, both of them announced retirement from T20 cricket on the same day after winning the World Cup in 2024, and the trend followed when they withdrew from Test cricket within a span of five days.

4. KL Rahul And Hardik Pandya

The relationship between KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya stands as a prime example of modern brotherhood. While they have not had so many iconic partnerships on the field, it is their unwavering support and unbreakable bond off the field that makes this bond special.

KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya [Source: @klbasit1/x.com]

The duo faced a huge backlash after their appearance in a chat show in 2019. While Pandya confessed that they took a break from each other, their bond remained the same. With both the cricketers now reaching their peak cricketing abilities, we as cricket fans hope to see more magical moments by the duo on the field.

5. Yuvraj Singh And Mohammed Kaif

Yuvraj Singh and Mohammed Kaif's friendship started from the Under-19 days. They were a part of the U-19 World Cup-winning team in 2000. After this, both of them made their way into the senior team around the same time. The most talked about part of their bond on the field was their fielding brilliance. Yuvraj Singh at the backward point and Mohammed Kaif at covers were the most dreaded combination for the best of the batters.

Mohammed Kaif and Yuvraj Singh [Source: @MohammadKaif/x.com]

But the duo became a talking point after their iconic partnership at Lord's in the final of the Natwest Trophy in 2002, where they stitched together 121 runs and set up the stage for India's one of the most iconic wins. Besides these iconic moments, both players have often shared their time off the field in the media, showing their unbreakable friendship.

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