Friendship Day: Iconic moments that redefined sports camaraderie
Friendship is a vital virtue for any individual battling through any aspect of his life. When it comes to sports, it becomes all the more significant. The foundation of a team sport is laid on the camaraderie shared by the teammates. While playing together in the same group is bound to foster likable ties, the beautiful thing about friendship is that it blooms in the most improbable of arenas. For instance, in an individual sport like Tennis, can there be room for the opponents to rise above the contest on the court and develop a friendly bond? Yes, of course, and Tennis fans all over have witnessed many instances of that.
On this Friendship Day, let's have a look at moments across different sports that left a lasting impact on the masses with sheer warmth and joy.
- MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina
Rising up the ranks and into the Indian team takes a lot of effort and is arguably one of the toughest roads to conquer. Imagine doing all that, carving a spot for yourself as one of the most reliable and explosive middle-order batsmen for India and saying, "If he leaves, I'll leave." That is the essence of the friendship between MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina. The World Cup-winning captain, when he decided to step down from Tests, Suresh Raina was the first one to know.
MS Dhoni announced his Test retirement on this 10 years ago.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 30, 2024
- Suresh Raina took this iconic selfie with MS. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/bBH13id0lV
When MS Dhoni announced his international retirement on 15th August 2020, Raina's announcement followed mere hours later. Both of the players have clearly contributed remarkably to Indian cricket. And yet their bond is one of the most exemplary sports friendships. Whenever 'iconic sports friendships' are mentioned, the Thala and Chinna Thala of Chennai are named foremost.
- Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Playing as a youngster, proving your mettle to earn a spot in the Indian team, and toiling hard to keep that spot, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have done it together. When Dhoni left the captaincy to Kohli, the batter never hesitated in backing the credentials of Rohit, supporting his mate in every slump of form. When the captaincy went to Rohit, he did the same for Kohli, shutting down the media jabs with fiery answers and defending Kohli during his lean patch.
The duo, as senior Indian players, have seen it all together. From speculations around alleged animosity to friction in the team, Rohit and Virat have managed to wade through it all. So, when the turn came for Kohli and Rohit to finally lay their hands on ICC glory, the duo celebrated together. Be it the celebration in Barbados following the historic T20 World Cup win in 2024 or the Champions Trophy victory of 2025, Rohit and Kohli have celebrated together, side by side on the field.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma playing Dandiya with the stumps. 🤣❤️ pic.twitter.com/I1utuReQp2
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 9, 2025
The ICC Champions Trophy win came after a tumultuous Test run for both the seniors. A lot of nasty noise followed, even predicting animosity between the two. However, every chatter was dashed when Kohli and Rohit took a stump each and played Garba on the field to celebrate the title win in Dubai.
- Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers
No.18 of India and No.17 of South Africa, when they came together in the RCB camp for IPL, a new chapter of friendship kicked off. ABD and his 'biscuit', Kohli, display one of the strongest bonds between players of two nations. RCB covered a hard path in IPL over the last 18 years. Star players, a large fan base, season-defining performances, Bengaluru had everything but the IPL trophy. The 18 years witnessed ABD commanding a huge fanbase in India with his unmatched performances and loyalty to RCB.
Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers with the IPL trophy. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/zL5ZagFsc5
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 4, 2025
However, his IPL stint ended without the coveted trophy as he retired in 2021. But when RCB inched closer to their long-awaited glory, ABD joined the team in IPL 2025, supporting from the sidelines. As the 18-year-long drought ended and RCB picked up the IPL 2025 trophy by beating Punjab Kings, Virat Kohli made sure that AB de Villiers got the dues for his contribution over the years. Kohli ran to de Villiers first to celebrate the win, and the night after was filled with moments of the Indian and the Protea celebrating together. Despite his retirement, Kohli announced that the trophy belonged to ABD as much as it did to him.
- Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
The flagbearers of Tennis domination, Federer and Nadal redefined the Open Era with their record-breaking run on the ATP Tour. Novak Djokovic walked in, and the trio formed the 'Big 3', the unbeatable forces on the courts. Over the years, Nadal and Federer emerged as the only players who could challenge each other. Be it the 2007 Wimbledon Final or the 2009 Australian Open Final, Rafael Nadal and Federer have scripted the most competitive rivalry in Tennis.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup 2024 following Nadal's final professional tennis match: https://t.co/TQoexKyKPf pic.twitter.com/8Cxre3hJoP
— Scott Barclay (@BarclayCard18) April 22, 2024
However, it was this rivalry that led the way for respect and friendship to foster between the King of Grass and the King of Clay. After years of fighting on the court, when the time came for one to leave, it left the other inconsolable. Roger Federer concluded his glorious ATP career at the 2022 Laver Cup, where he paired with Rafael Nadal. As the final moment arrived, both embraced with teary eyes, and Nadal even broke into sobs.
"When Roger leaves the tour, yeah, an important part of my life is leaving too because all the moments he has been next or in front of me in important moments of my life," Nadal said on Federer's retirement.
- Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez
The bond between Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, forged during their time together at FC Barcelona, is one of the most cherished football legends. Together at Barcelona from 2014 to 2020, Messi and Suarez won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Champions League, and the Club World Cup in a glorious run in the 2015 season. While their time at Barcelona together ended when Suarez moved to Atletico Madrid in 2020, the players maintained their tight-knit bond. Now, both champions have been reunited at Inter Miami.
Whether it’s sharing a dugout, a locker room, or standing on opposite sides of the net, these stories remind us that friendship in sport goes beyond competition. It’s about mutual respect, trust, and moments that transcend the game itself.
