In any professional sport, the existence of a rivalry between athletes or teams can often elevate the game itself. Cricket has had its fair share of these, right from England-Australia, a purely sporting rivalry to India-Pakistan, which is more political in nature.
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These days, while competition may be fierce, the competitive nature of players on either side is not always shown in public. But one such emerging rivalry which sees that is Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka.
In the sides' most ODI series which concluded yesterday, Bangladesh keeper Mushfiqur Rahim celebrated their win with a helmet, during the trophy presentation and post-match photos. But how is it connected to the teams' rivalry?
Mushfiqur Rahim celebrates ODI series win with a helmet: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh rivalry explained
The first instance of ill-feeling between the teams came in 2018. Bangladesh spinner Najmul Islam Apu picked up four wickets against Sri Lanka, celebrating with his trademark 'Naagin' or 'snake' dance, imitating the movement of a cobra.
One of Najmul's victims, Danushka Gunathilaka, then performed the celebration when he picked up two wickets in the teams' next meeting. Bangladesh took this to another level when they defeated Sri Lanka in the Nidahas Trophy, and the entire team performed the dance on the field. Since then, it has become a taunting gesture between these teams.
The rivalry went to new heights in 2023. During the World Cup in India, Sri Lankan batter Angelo Mathews was given 'timed out', the first victim of the dismissal in international cricket. Many felt Bangladesh's appeal for the wicket was against the spirit of the game, and Mathews himself argued that a malfunctioning helmet strap, which was not in his control, had caused the delay.
Since that day, players on either side have celebrated wickets by gesturing to their wrist, jokingly signalling 'time's up'. The Sri Lankan team as a whole performed this gesture when they won the T20I series that concluded earlier this month. In response, Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim imitated Mathews' malfunctioning helmet incident during their celebrations.
While many of these activities seem childish and immature, they add a spice to matches between these teams, that add to the experience as a follower of the sport.
Roar of the L̶i̶o̶n̶s̶ Tigers 🐅
— FanCode (@FanCode) March 18, 2024
P.S.: Don't miss Mushfiqur's celebration with the helmet.
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.#ThatWinningFeeling #BANvSL #FanCode pic.twitter.com/UhPkvfeTMn
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