5 most controversial moments of cricket: questions raised on the field
Cricket is called a 'gentleman's game', but history is witness that many times this game has been scorched in the fire of controversies. Be it the spectators sitting in the stadium or the millions of fans glued to the TV screen, there have been some incidents that have raised questions on the credibility of cricket. These moments not only changed the image of the players but also put the rules and sportsmanship to the test. Let's know about the 5 most controversial moments of cricket.
1. 2008 Sydney Test - Allegation of 'racism'
The 2008 Sydney Test between Australia and India is counted among the most infamous matches in history. Harbhajan Singh was accused of making racial remarks by Andrew Symonds. The matter escalated so much that the entire Indian team was in a position to leave the tour. Wrong decisions of umpiring added fuel to the fire. The credibility of both cricket politics and the judicial system came under question at that time.
2. Underarm ball controversy – 1981 New Zealand vs Australia
Australian captain Greg Chappell instructed his brother Trevor Chappell to bowl the last ball underarm so that New Zealand could not hit a six. This decision was not against the rules of the ICC, but was definitely against the spirit of the game. New Zealand fans and players were extremely angry with this decision. This incident became a big blot on the dignity of the game.
3. Sandpaper Gate – 2018 South Africa tour
Australia's David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft conspired to tamper with the ball, and it was caught on camera. Cricket Australia banned all three after the attempt to rub the ball with sandpaper was revealed. This shameful act raised serious questions about the ethics of Australian cricket.
4. 2006 Pakistan vs England – Ball tampering and match forfeit
In the Oval Test, the umpires accused Pakistan of tampering with the ball. Unhappy with this, the Pakistan team did not return to the field. As a result, the umpires awarded the match to England. This was the first time a team lost a Test match because they did not return to the field. This incident became an example of the clash between the strictness of the rules and the disagreement of the players.
5. 1999 World Cup – Allan Donald's run out
The semi-final match between South Africa and Australia ended in a draw. However, in an attempt to steal a run, Allan Donald did not take a run while standing at the non-striker's end and was run out. South Africa's hopes of winning the World Cup ended there. This decision and the way of running were debated for years.
Cricket is not just a game of bat and ball. It is also a battle of emotions, ethics and decisions. These five incidents showed that in cricket, respect for the game is more important than victory or defeat. Whatever happens on the field, it reaches the hearts of crores of people. Therefore, both the players and the officials should take action only after understanding the impact of every decision.
