An INDvPAK match never fails to give people something to talk about, both in anticipation and in retrospection of the game. And last night’s match was quite the crowdpleaser considering India won with 21 overs to spare in the Asia Cup match against arch rivals Pakistan.
Comprehensive – How was that for a performance. #TeamIndia clinch the 2nd ODI against Pakistan by 8 wickets 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 #AsiaCup #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/3n2BqCKbuq
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 19, 2018
The enmity of the two countries notwithstanding, cricket has always been gentleman’s game. And a rather endearing visual from the match last night reinforced this statement and gave people on both sides of the LOC something to applaud about.
During the match, our very own Yuzvendra Chahal was seen tying the shoelaces of Pakistan’s Usman Khan as the latter batted. And that seems to have impressed the fans of the game immensely.
That’s the real sporty thing. Humbled to see..#INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/voWewFeiYr
— Sanjay Yadav (@sanjuydv) September 19, 2018
Twitter had all kinds of intense feelings about this rather pure moment that exhibited true sportsman spirit on the field.
While the war like situation is all pervasive in both the countries, tender moments like this on the pitch lifts the game of cricket into a gentleman’s game #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/Q8W0L5MZWH
— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) September 19, 2018
Gentleman’s game, indeed.
I love this tHing whenever someone's lace opens the opp team's player ties it for them! The sportsman spirit!❤️ #INDvPAK
— Srishti🐒 (@srishtipandey27) September 19, 2018
Of course, some folk managed to sneak in this very obvious joke!
https://twitter.com/justin_gabbs/status/1042575876083343360
But for the most part, it was a whole lot of heartwarming pride at how despite the situation between the two nations, the players held nothing above the game.
Beauty of the sport exhibited today
Chahal tying the lace of Usman#IndiavsPakistan #AsiaCup#INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/AfpjEot25B— Suman Pandit (@suman28pandit) September 19, 2018
Boundaries are irrelevant when it comes to sports @TheBridge_IN https://t.co/O9rn1nxEnC
— Waheed Ur Rehman (@parawahid) September 19, 2018
What a frame! #INDvPAK https://t.co/Zi0EDRL58Q
— Nitin Srivastava (@TweetNitinS) September 20, 2018
So true…in an age of hashtag nationalism; this right here, is Grace #INDvPAK https://t.co/IGKjzGAtPn
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) September 19, 2018
Chahal tying Usmaan's shoe laces
Respect👏❤— 𝐒𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐘𝐀✨ (@jaanekyabaathai) September 19, 2018
This picture made my day.😍#PakvsInd
🇮🇳❤🇵🇰 https://t.co/gaPDWyXyG2— IamRafay🇵🇰💚 (@IamRafayy) September 19, 2018
There was, however, a digressing opinion too. A lot of them thought this was not such big deal, but merely on-field manners that would be prevalent in any game.
Gentleman's game?? And cricket..Ha!
This is just on field manners. Can be seen in any game https://t.co/nIB0pwSFez— Daaktare (@Talkin_rational) September 19, 2018
They thought it was merely exaggerating basic courtesies.
It’s a non-event. Stop exaggerating basic courtesies. https://t.co/DEi7cFsFj4
— Karthik (@highonsport) September 20, 2018
This is very small thing and called minimum manners. Stop getting excited for silly things.🙄🙄 https://t.co/KL9g3uBtvk
— Srivatsava Sesham(శ్రీవాత్సవ) (@srivatsavahai) September 19, 2018
And then there was this one tweet about whether Pak would reciprocate such a gesture, which got an apt reply right back.
— Ijaz Ahmed (@IjazAhm45189024) September 19, 2018
Looks like fans can agree to disagree on this one. The negative comments that called Chahal ‘anti-national’ also made their presence felt, of course. But the fact remains, that it was a gentlemanly gesture that is a basic courtesy players extend to each other on the field. Considering it is INDvPAK, it’s understandable why it might evoke stronger feelings amongst people.
One thing that we can agree on though is something this one tweet pointed out…
https://twitter.com/iBM1105/status/1042469943562960898
Hear hear!