5 most controversial cricketers

Every sport has a number of its players caught up in different types of controversies. Cricket – the gentleman’s game is no exception to this phenomenon. This sport has seen an amazing amount of  players in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Some more than others, a lot more. Here is a list of 5 such players who have been in the headlines for the wrong reasons in recent years:

5. Harbhajan Singh

He has the second highest number of Test wickets by an off spinner. The Punjab born superstar has seen a lot of ups and downs throughout his career and is no stranger to controversies. He was banned in 2008 by the ICC for racially vilifying Andrew Symonds. He was also suspended during the 2008 IPL for slapping Sreesanth. He generated more controversy off the field when he appeared for a TV commercial in 2006 without his turban, which angered some of the orthodox Sikh community. He has also had an altercation with police outside the team hotel in 2002 which resulted in him injuring his arm. This is a player who despite all his talents, hasn’t been able to hold on to his place in the team for a while now and may well have passed his best days.

4. Andrew Symonds

The talented Aussie all-rounder had made a habit to appear in the news for all the wrong reasons. From missing important team meetings because of his fishing priorities, name calling fellow players to alcohol influenced altercations, Symonds has done it all. He was suspended in 2008 for missing team meetings and choosing to go fishing instead. The same year, he had a few on field incidents with the Harbhajan Singh. He was ignored from the Ashes squad in 2009 and was sent back home later the same year during the ICC World T20 tournament for a late night drinking indecent. Subsequently, his central contract was withdrawn and earlier last year, he announced his decision to retire from the game; probably the right decision considering his track record.

3. Hansie Cronje

The former South African captain is one of the most tainted figures in the history of the game. He was in the news for the match fixing scandal. He was first caught in 2000 by the Delhi police, stating that they has substantial evidence against him and other South African players for match fixing. There have been several revelations and confessions about him exchanging money with various players to alter the results according to the bookmakers. In 2001, he was banned from any sort of participation in any form of cricket for life. In 2002, he was killed in a plane crash along with the two pilots.

2. Mohammad Azharuddin

The former Indian captain had his own share of match fixing scandals. Towards the end of his playing career, he was accused of match fixing and corruption. It was claimed that the BCCI imposed a life ban on him after he admitted to fixing three ODI games. But the ban was lifted in 2006 by the BCCI and even honoured along with other Test captains in Mumbai. The ICC however claimed that it alone had the right to revoke the ban. But in 2012, the Andhra Pradesh high court lifted the ban on him and said the ban was unsustainable.

1. Shoaib Akhtar

He has been the most controversial cricketer of the era and has never stayed out of the limelight. He has had fights with his own team mates as well as ground officials, PCB officials and several players. He has been involved in drug scandals, ball tampering and  match fixing scandals. In 2006, he was tested positive for a banned substance. In 2007, he was banned for an indefinite period for his fight with team mate Mohammed Asif. In 2008, he was banned for 5 years for publicly criticizing the PCB. He was also sent back by British Immigration officials after he landed in London for not having a valid working visa. From being potentially the best bowling talent to getting banned and accused of chucking, this player has never stayed out of controversies.