'True Champ': Fans Praise Colin Munro's Sportsmanship After He Withdraws Martin Guptill Run Out Appeal

The International League T20 witnessed a true moment of sportsmanship after Colin Munro revoked a run-out decision on Martin Guptill. Munro’s class act towards his fellow New Zealand cricketer occurred during the Sharjah Warriors’ ILT20 match against Desert Vipers on January 28. In the 12th over of the first innings, Joe Denly of the Warriors lifted a delivery from Shadab Khan straight onto his teammate Guptill. This caught the non-striker off guard, making him fall to the ground and being run out by Shadab. However, after a brief discussion, Shadab and Munro decided to revoke the wicket to ensure fair play. The video was uploaded on X by the ILT20 witha caption that read, “Being a good sport goes above being good at the sport. Hats off to The Desert Vipers skipper for playing a fair game.”

Several fans have now reacted to the amazing display of sportsmanship by Colin Munro. One of them wrote on X, “Top Work Colin Munro and DV”.

Another highlighted how this was a good example of true sportsmanship. “Wonderful example of sportsmanship,” he wrote.

One fan made sure that Shadab got enough credit as well for not appealing for Guptill’s dismissal. He wrote, “Credit to Shadab who didn’t appeal and went to Colin to suggest let Guptill play.”

Another user suggested that for people who play any sports, moments like these matter the most on the pitch, “If you’ve played any sports…This is what actually is valued in the field. #Sportsmanship true Champ.”

One fan believed that this moment was a result of Munro and Guptill sharing the locker room in Auckland since 2006. “Colin Munro and, Martin Guptill been playing together for Auckland since 2006. Perhaps not a very difficult call to make,” he wrote.

Martin Guptill’s staying on the pitch proved to be a decisive factor for Sharjah Warriors as they bagged a narrow seven-run win over the Desert Vipers on Sunday. With his side losing a couple of wickets early at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Guptill delivered 39 runs in 32 balls to stabilise the innings for the Warriors. He was later supported by his skipper Tom Kohler-Cadmore who added another 68 in just 34 balls. His knock included two boundaries and a whopping eight sixes. On the flipside, Shadab Khan remained wicketless throughout the innings.

While Colin Munro did display his sportsmanship in the first innings, he failed to turn up for his side’s batting innings. Munro departed for a duck in two balls leaving the Desert Vipers in a dire situation. It was Alex Hales who stepped up big for his side by smashing 61 runs in 40 balls before losing his wicket to Chris Woakes. The Vipers kept losing frequent wickets and were eventually curbed at a total of 167.