Cricket has often resembled the traits of military service and has followed traits of discipline, courage, and commitment. There are various cricketers from all around the world who thrilled on the field and in military uniforms for their country. These individuals, some past and some still living, balanced the enormous demands of their professional work in defending their country as well as standing up and representing their country in the field of international sport. 

Relatively speaking, nothing shines brighter than one of the game's greats, Sir Donald Bradman, who served in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II. England's Hedley Verity was one of World War II's casualties; a talented spin bowler and gifted cricketer, he died in combat during that same conflict. India's Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who carries the honorary title of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army, provides insight into how well this country enjoys his role in bringing honor to the game and his country. 

For various reasons, the military is often a discreet cultivation ground for cricketers developing social capital, which is plainly displayed in the field. In Pakistan, cricketers like Majid Khan or Imran Khan had military family ties, whereas in Sri Lanka, cricketers such as Ajantha Mendis actively served. While their accounts are like each other as their own ambitions were being pursued, within them, they also represent the character of a timeless story of selfless public service for national pride.

When Duty and Sport are Shown to be Synergistic

The hard work behind trying to balance military responsibilities with the demands of professional cricket is remarkable. These athletes train in extreme conditions and mentally push themselves physically to grow their capacity to handle pressure - an advantage when playing any high-pressure match. They develop a safe and calm demeanor, which must be associated with being taught to think strategically, stay calm, and lead others in the sport and in their chosen military roles.

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For cricketers, the combination of professionalism in sport and selfless acts of valor are tied together. Their lives challenge generations to ask themselves whether their patriotism can be exhibited in more than one way. Whether it is saluting while in uniform or raising a bat after scoring a century, they serve as reminders that the ultimate contribution to a nation sometimes comes wearing both boots and spikes.

The Most Costly Cricket Bats Ever Sold

Cricket is among the world's most popular games. Many cricket bats over the years have become expensive as they were played in historic matches. Some of these bats have been auctioned at very high prices.Here are some of the most expensive cricket bats to be sold.

1. Sir Donald Bradman's 1934 Ashes Bat : Rs 1.9 Crore
Sir Donald Bradman, one of the greatest cricketers, used this bat during the 1934 Ashes series. With this bat, he scored two triple centuries and a record 451-run partnership with Bill Ponsford. The bat was sold at an auction in 2021 for about Rs 1.9 crore (around $250,000).

2. MS Dhoni’s 2011 World Cup Final Bat : Rs 1.5 Crore
MS Dhoni, captain of the Indian cricket team, played this bat in order to hit the winning six during the final of the 2011 World Cup against Sri Lanka. The incident is etched in Indian cricket history forever. The bat was auctioned for Rs 1.5 crore ($200,000) later, ranking among the world's most pricey cricket bats.

3. Gary Sobers' 1968 Six-Sixes Bat :Rs 36.89 Lakh
Sir Garfield Sobers became the first-ever cricketer to score six sixes off an over in a first-class match in 1968. The bat that he used for this record is sold at an auction in 2000 for approximately Rs 36.89 lakh ($45,000).

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4. Brian Lara's 1994 Record-Breaking Bat : Rs 80 Lakh
Brian Lara set a world record by scoring 375 runs in a Test match against England in 1994. The bat he used for this innings was sold for Rs 80 lakh ($100,000).

5. Virat Kohli’s 2018 Test Century Bat : Rs 75 Lakh
Virat Kohli used this bat to score 1322 runs in the 2018 Test series against England. The bat was auctioned for about Rs 75 lakh ($95,000).