Cricket has become one of the top sports in the entire world. India is one of the top cricketing nations in the world, and Australia, England, and New Zealand are not far behind. West Indies dominated the cricket world during the initial years. Currently, the Men in Maroon are ruling the T20 arena.
Cricketers have become celebrities in today’s world. They have millions of followers on social media. The fans wish to know more details about their families now. Hence, the cricketers’ family members also gain the attention every now and then. In this article, we will look at the five instances when cricketers’ fathers grabbed the headlines in news.
5. Jonny Bairstow and David Willey’s fathers
Jonny Bairstow and David Willey are current members of the England cricket team. They belong to cricketing families. Many fans would know that Jonny and David’s fathers played international cricket for England. Just likes their sons, David Bairstow and Peter Willey achieved specialization in wicket-keeping and bowling.
While David is a fast bowler, his father was a spin bowler. In 2015, both players’ fathers came into the headlines after David dismissed Ross Taylor caught behind in a Test. Just like 1979, the dismissal on the scorecard read “c Bairstow b Willey”.
4. Washington Sundar’s father
Washington Sundar has made a name for himself as India’s top spin bowler in T20 internationals. Skipper Virat Kohli has used him brilliantly in the game’s shortest format.
Sundar recently made his Test debut against Australia in Brisbane. He scored a half-century on debut and was also impressive with the ball. However, Washington’s father M Sundar was disappointed that his son could not touch the three-figure mark. His remarks drew much attention.
3. Shubman Gill’s father
Shubman Gill also made his Test debut in the recently-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Gill played some excellent knocks for the Indian cricket team in his debut Test series. He starred for the team in Brisbane, scoring 91 runs in the fourth innings of the Test match.
However, his effort did not satisfy his father Lakhwinder Gill. In an interview after the final Test against India, Lakhwinder mentioned that Shubman could have got a century because he was looking in good shape. He could not understand why he played away from his body. Virender Sehwag had posted his interview’s article on his social media, saying parents would always be parents.
2. Yuvraj Singh’s father
Yuvraj Singh’s father Yograj Singh is a former Indian cricketer. After retirement, Yograj has regularly offered his views on cricket. However, one of his controversial statements grabbed the headlines everywhere.
After Ambati Rayudu decided to quit international cricket, Yograj was disappointed. He blamed MS Dhoni for Rayudu’s retirement and said:
“Rayudu, my son, you decided in haste. Come out of retirement and show them what you are capable of. People like MS Dhoni will not remain forever, filth like these will not remain forever.”
1. Stuart Broad’s father
Stuart Broad is one of the top fast bowlers in Test cricket right now. He has shouldered the English pace-bowling attack along with the veteran James Anderson. Broad belongs to a family of cricketers as his father Chris Broad played the sport.
After retirement, Chris has joined the ICC as a referee. In a Test match against Pakistan last year, Stuart breached the code of conduct. Hence, his father Chris fined him 15 percent of his match fee. This amusing incident entertained the fans and Stuart’s following reaction was the icing on the cake.
“He is off the Christmas card and present list,” said Stuart Broad.
