Embrace and Cherish

Among the fierce competitiveness inherent in cricket, where aggression is often on display through gestures and celebrations, there are also moments of tenderness and camaraderie. In the iconic scene above, Justin Langer bid farewell to his Test career as Matthew Hayden scored the final runs of the 2007 Ashes match, marking not only a victory but also the retirements of other legends like Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. It was undoubtedly a day filled with deep emotions.

Although hugs may not be frequently highlighted, they play a significant role in matches—shared during milestones, monumental wins, heartbreaking losses, or simply out of joy. Take, for example, the moment captured between Virat Kohli and Kevin Pietersen, reminiscent of a Bollywood film poster.

Brothers in arms: KP will protect Kohli from the big bad world of cricket
© Surjeet Yadav / © MB Media/Getty Images

Not all hugs are gentle; a memorable leap by Shane Warne into Andrew Symonds’ arms illustrates this. For those who relish drama, moments are ripe for dynamic displays, like Rubel Hossain emulating Shah Rukh Khan’s signature pose—leaving room for an affectionate embrace.

Trunk call: a team-mate puts the squeeze on Hossain
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A vital reason batters are adorned with protective gear? To shield themselves from overly enthusiastic fans! Post-victory moments sometimes call for emotional releases, where a friend like Sarah Taylor is there to catch crying Charlotte Edwards after their World Cup triumph in 2009.

Tears for cheers: Sarah Taylor comes in clutch
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