Top 10 cricket controversies of the decade

#2 Dhoni walks onto the field to contest a no-ball at the 2019 IPL

Dhoni stormed onto the field to contest a no-ball call (Credits: Hindustan Times)

With the game between CSK and RR tantalisingly poised, a hint of miscommunication between the on-field umpires prompted MS Dhoni to forego his cool approach and march onto the field.

To put things into perspective, the former Indian skipper had gotten out before the incident had occurred and had no right trying to impose his will on the officials. Yet, the magnitude of the situation ensured that Dhoni, for once, courted on-field controversy.

Fortunately, though, CSK ended up on the winning side. Else, things could’ve just gotten much more pear-shaped.

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#1 The Sandpaper Gate

Bancroft was caught rubbing the ball with sandpaper

Australia toured South Africa in 2018 as the Aussies looked to ride on the wave of optimism generated after an Ashes triumph. However, things didn’t particularly pan out as expected in the Rainbow Nation.

With the series delicately placed at 1-1 before the game at Cape Town, the Aussies seemed compact and boasted quite a few tricks up their sleeve. Yet, at Newlands, they also unfurled a gambit from deep within their ‘tactical’ pockets, a move that was to send shockwaves throughout the cricketing circuit.

Cameron Bancroft was caught scuffing the ball with sandpaper, in order to make it conducive to reverse-swing. Subsequently, he admitted to the offence with Steve Smith and David Warner also acknowledging their parts, considering the ploy had been hatched by the ‘leadership group.’

Though each returned to represent Australia after their respective bans, one feels that their reputations would always remain tarnished. And, maybe, even sandpaper might not be able to rub off those blemishes.