Freak injuries to cricketers (Source: AFP)Opening batter Rachin Ravindra suffered an unexpected shoulder injury sustained during a promotional shoot last week. As a result, the batter has been ruled out of New Zealand's highly anticipated T20I series against India.Ravindra is expected to need around six weeks to recover, with the aim of being available for the ODIs, which begin on November 4. The T20I series starts on October 22 in Christchurch.However, this is not the first time a player has been sidelined due to a freak injury. Here are 5 cricketers who have been ruled out due to an unusual or unexpected injury scare.1) Glenn Maxwell - Slipped at a backyard party (2022)In November 2022, Glenn Maxwell suffered a fractured left fibula in a freak accident at his friend’s 50th birthday party in Melbourne. The injury eventually ruled him out of Australia’s ODI series against England and later sidelined him for the rest of the summer.The injury came after Maxwell and a friend slipped while running across a backyard tennis court, leaving his leg trapped.2) Quinton de Kock - Twisted his right knee while walking his dogs (2016)South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock will forever be remembered for his appearance in the list of bizarre injuries. In January 2016, his teammate Dean Elgar confirmed that the wicketkeeper was ruled out of the third Test against England following a freak dog-walking accident.Also read: A Piece Of Land To WWE Championship-Like Belts: Weird Mementos Given In CricketElgar further revealed the embarassing fashion of de Kock’s injury. Elgar stated that on the eve of the match, de Kock slipped and twisted his knee while taking his two Jack Russell terriers for an afternoon stroll.The home side’s preparations fell into chaos when they had to fly backup wicketkeeper Dane Vilas halfway across the country to replace de Kock.3) Ben Stokes - Broke his wrist while punching dressing-room locker (2014)Former England captain Ben Stokes has a long history of on-field as well as off-field altercations. His anger issues have landed him in trouble quite a few times in the past.Back in March 2014, Stokes was ruled out of the World T20 after breaking his wrist when he punched a locker in the dressing room following his dismissal in the T20 against West Indies.He was replaced by the Warwickshire all-rounder Chris Woakes for the upcoming match. 4) Cooper Connolly - Broke his toe while boating (2023)A broken toe jumping from a boat cost young Australian talent Cooper Connolly a red-ball debut in 2023.Connolly was expected to receive his maiden Western Australia cap in their Marsh Sheffield Shield clash against Victoria. However, the then-20-year-old, earlier that year, underwent surgery on his right foot earlier that year following a freak boating accident in September 2023.5) Matthew Hayden - Dog bite (2006)In October 2006, former Australian Test opener Matthew Hayden suffered a gashed ankle after being attacked by a dog ahead of the Ashes series against England.Hayden, who was already nursing a broken finger, was set upon while jogging. Tests showed no ankle tendon or ligament damage.Speaking to a Brisbane newspaper, the former Australian legend said, “It was a vicious attack”.Also read: New Zealand Coach Issues Threat To Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Ahead of IND vs NZ T20Is
