South Africa leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who played a key role in Chennai Super Kings’ road to the final in IPL last year, is yet to play a game in the ongoing IPL 2020. While Tahir was awarded the ‘Purple Cap‘ in 2019 after he took a whopping 26 wickets for CSK; this year the spinner has just been warming the benches donning his yellow jersey, reports News18.
Even though Tahir hasn’t been given a chance to play this time around, the cricketer has taken the exclusion in his stride. In fact, on a few occasions, he was even spotted carrying drinks on the field for his teammates, reports HT. Having no qualms about his gesture, he said that it was his duty to “return the favours” to the players who had earlier carried drinks for him while he was playing.
When I used to play many players carried drinks for me now when deserved players are in the field it’s my duty do return favors.Its not about me playing or not it’s about my team winning.If I get a chance I will do my best but for me team is important #yellove @ChennaiIPL
— Imran Tahir (@ImranTahirSA) October 14, 2020
Speaking about the current team composition that doesn’t allow him to play, Tahir was quoted saying by NDTV Sports,
“It has been difficult sitting out, but I have to be honest, I am enjoying and I know how we go about it as a team. I am happy if we are doing well and waiting for my opportunity and hopefully will be ready when I get it. Will be a good challenge playing against the young Indian talent.”
Several people hailed the CSK leg-spinner for his thoughtful act and called him a true sportsman.
You got me here Sir with this gesture ✨
Still waiting for Tahir express to run across the whole ground after taking a wicket 💛 pic.twitter.com/WceWH9tFqv— Nitesh Jha (@itsniteshh) October 14, 2020
We Love you Gentleman! CSK is lucky to have players like you around.. Can’t wait to see you running through the opponents 💛!!
— ∆ (@Vidyadhar_R) October 14, 2020
Omgg these words has my heart, What a man You are 😍😍 take my Respect 🙏 We Love you
— VaishnaviRaina❤️ (@Vaishu_Raina3) October 14, 2020
When u put ur team ahead of everything!
Love this guy, a class apart!! 👏👏#IPL2020 #Dream11IPL #ImranTahir @ImranTahirSA https://t.co/WEUVBiDY8k— Shubham Misra 🧠 (@SBM_4007) October 15, 2020
For a sportsman its always about being out there for the team no matter what we do. Nothing can match that feeling.
Respect ✊ True sportsmanship in the spirit of the game! @ImranTahirSA @ChennaiIPL https://t.co/b6gXYh8zGZ
— Harish Krishnan (@itizharish) October 15, 2020
If only people and players are this humble like @ImranTahirSA , this world would be a better place.. https://t.co/BRELdJoQZy
— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) October 14, 2020
You Earn our respect Sir.
You are a great inspiring Human being 💕!”@ImranTahirSA @ChennaiIPL #YellowLove #ChennaiSuperKings https://t.co/xvwHo5UnsO— Shivam Bhardwaj (@Shivam_infi) October 14, 2020
You are truly a Legend Sir 🙏🏻❤🙏🏻#ImranTahir @ImranTahirSA https://t.co/zSIfun0dHb
— Jaganathan (@i_am_jaganathan) October 15, 2020
In some good news for his fans, CSK’s CEO Kasi Viswanathan was quoted saying, “Tahir will definitely come into the picture as we go ahead. He will come in with the wickets starting to take a turn in the second half.”
Well, a true sportsman is not only a person who plays the game well on the field but also someone who is a gentleman off-field. Kudos to the cricketer for his thoughtful gesture.