The Wrong’Un: Cricket controversies that made headlines in 2020
The year 2020 didn’t see much cricket due to the sudden entry of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, cricket is a highly competitive game and when it resumed, fans witnessed plenty of entertainment and some nasty controversies as well.
As 2020 comes to an end, let’s take a look at some of the biggest controversies that rocked the cricket fraternity this year.
Use of concussion rule by India
A controversy erupted during the first T20I between India and Australia at Manuka Oval when the visiting team had named Yuzvendra Chahal as the concussion substitute for Ravindra Jadeja. While batting, a limping Jadeja was hit on the helmet in the last over but denied any medical help and continued playing.
I have no issue with Jadeja being substitute with Chahal. But I do have an issue with a Doctor & Physio not being present after Jadeja was struck on the helmet which I believe is protocol now? #AusvInd
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) December 4, 2020
After the first innings, Chahal graced the field as the fifth bowler as Jadeja’s like-for-like replacement according to ICC’s concussion rule. But this didn’t go down well with Australian coach Justin Langer, who was seen fuming in his discussion with the match referee. In the end, Chahal proved lethal with the ball, as he ended up winning the Player of the Match award for picking three wickets and helping India win.
Mushfiqur Rahim lashes out at Nasum Ahmed
Bangladesh wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim was subjected to heavy criticism after he was found lashing at his young teammate Nasum Ahmed in the first eliminator of the Bangabandhu T20 Cup. Rahim’s team Beximco Dhaka was defending 45 runs off 19 balls against Fortune Barishal when they got a chance to dismiss the on-strike batsman Afif Hossain, who was going strong with a half-century to his name.
Calm down, Rahim. Literally. What a chotu ??
(? @imrickyb) pic.twitter.com/657O5eHzqn
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) December 14, 2020
Afif hit a shot towards fine-leg and both Rahim and fine-leg fielder Nasum Ahmed ran for the catch and were about to collide. Though Mushfiqur successfully completed the catch without any collision, he looked visibly upset over Nasum and almost hit him in anger for not hearing his call.
Sunil Gavaskar vs Anushka Sharma
A war of words between Anushka Sharma, wife of Indian skipper Virat Kohli, and Sunil Gavaskar can be termed as one of the biggest controversies that erupted this year. When the 2020 IPL had just begun, Virat was struggling to score runs for RCB. Upon seeing his rustiness with the willow, Gavaskar said on air: “Kohli has only faced bowling by Anushka in the lockdown”.
However, a Twitter user twisted his words and made it look like he was blaming Anushka for Virat’s poor form. This resulted in many bashing the former Indian captain on social media. The matter worsened when Anushka posted a long note on her Instagram account, calling Gavaskar’s comment ‘distasteful’.
Later, Gavaskar defended his words, saying:
“Where am I blaming her, where am I being sexist in this. I am only stating what was seen on the video … I am only saying that the video says that she was bowling to Virat. So Virat has played only that bowling in the lockdown period … Where am I blaming her for Virat’s failures,” he said.
Shahid Afridi and Naveen Ul Haq’s war of words
Smiles from Afridi – and then a scowl! ??
What a character! ?
Tempers flaring a little after Afridi’s Galle Gladiators beaten by Kandy Tuskers in #LPL2020
Tuskers’ Naveen-ul-Haq had shared words with Mohammad Amir – and Afridi wasn’t amused! #KTvGG pic.twitter.com/h9u2l6OvQC
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) November 30, 2020
During a match of the 2020 Lanka Premier League (LPL), Kandy Tuskers’ Naveen-ul-Haq got involved in a heated argument with Galle Gladiators’ Mohammad Amir towards the end. The two players spoke some words to each other and refused to cool down even after the intervention of their teammates. The whole episode took a different turn when the Gladiators came out on the field for a handshake. Naveen, who hadn’t cooled down from the previous encounter with Amir, was seen arguing with the opposition captain Shahid Afridi. After seeing the attitude of Naveen, a fired-up Afridi got involved in a verbal spat with him.
Marlon Samuels – Ben Stokes feud
The rivalry between former West Indies all-rounder Marlon Samuels and England’s Ben Stokes dates back to 2015 – when the West Indies batsman had mocked the left-hander by saluting him following a dismissal. The feud between took an ugly turn in the latter part of 2020, when Samuels made some derogatory comments on Stokes’ wife.
It all began with Ben Stokes making light-hearted comments on how he wouldn’t wish even his worst enemy Samuels to survive a quarantine. However, this unharmed banter didn’t go well with Samuels who took to his official Instagram account to post explosive sexual remarks on the better-half of England all-rounder. Samuels attracted plenty of criticism for his remarks from the cricketing fraternity. But on the other hand, Stokes maintained his classy side and chose not to react.
