Cricket, widely regarded as the gentlemen’s game and known for maintaining sportsmanship, could not avoid controversies. Occasionally, some cricket moments became opinionated and triggered much debate around them. These debates arose over a player’s wicket, violation of cricket rules, or not following the proper code of conduct. So, let’s look at some of the most controversial dismissals in Cricket history.
1. Sourav Ganguly’s Wicket In 2008
The second test match between Australia and India, already famous for its ‘Monkeygate’ scandal, became more controversial and unusual due to poor on-field decisions. During this match, when Ganguly nicked a ball off Brett Lee, it went into the hands of Michael Clarke, who was standing at second slip. Though Ganguly was immediately declared out, the replay showed that the ball had already touched the ground before going into the hands of the fielder, proving him not out.
2. Usman Khawaja’s Dismissal Against England
During the 2013 Ashes, Usman Khawaja tried to play a drive, but missed the shot. Therefore, he was declared out as England appealed for a caught behind. Unsatisfied with this, Khawaja used the DRS system, which clearly showed that the ball missed the bat, proving him not out. But unfortunately, the umpire did not reverse the decision and declared Khawaja out, which stunned the Australian cricket team.
3. Jos Buttler Mankaded In IPL 2019
Mankading is one of the most debatable methods of dismissing a batter, despite being considered legal in the cricket rulebook. Therefore, when the Indian spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, dismissed the English batter Jos Buttler through this method, it triggered a lot of controversy and was seen as against the spirit of the game. Though the on-field umpires asked Ashwin to reconsider his appeal, he was adamant about his request. It took place during the Rajasthan Royals v/s the Kings Eleven Punjab match.
4. Johnny Bairstow’s Dismissal In Ashes 2023
The Ashes played between England and Australia, are historically deemed a ferocious battle where every Ashes series brings some unusual moments. This time, during the second test match, Bairstow’s wicket created havoc, especially because England lost the game. It occurred on July 2, 2023, when the Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey hit the stumps with a ball as Bairstow casually moved out of the crease. The latter was eventually given out, as according to the umpires, the ball was not declared dead.
5. Geoff Lawson Saved From Hit-wicket
During the second test match between Australia and the West Indies in Brisbane in 1984, Geoff Lawson unknowingly knocked the bails down as his heels touched the stumps. Though legally, it was out, the umpire failed to notice it and went there to put the bails back. Shockingly, the same thing happened again the next over, and the referees did not see it.
6. Sachin Tendulkar’s Wicket In 1999
The next controversial dismissal in this list is Tendulkar’s wicket during the India tour of Australia in 1999. It happened in Glenn McGrath’s over when Tendulkar bent upon seeing the short ball, but the ball, stayed low and hit his shoulder. The Aussies appealed for an LBW, and Tendulkar was declared out.
7. Sachin Tendulkar Run-out 1999
This incident occurred during the first test match between India and Pakistan in 1999. On the penultimate day of the game, when Tendulkar hit the ball to deep mid-wicket and attempted to complete two runs, Shoaib Akhtar appeared out of the blue and deliberately collided with him. It obstructed Tendulkar, and he was declared run out as he could not complete the run. Tendulkar’s wicket enraged the crowd in the stadium.
8. Stuart Broad Given Not-out In 2013 Ashes
During the first test of the 2013 Ashes series, the umpire ruled that English bowler Stuart Broad was not out even though the ball had hit the edge. The bowler was Ashton Agar. The Aussies frowned at this decision, also because later they lost this test match.
9. Ben Stokes Saved From LBW
Next on the list is when England required merely a couple of runs to win the third Ashes Test 2019. In this over, Ben Stokes tried a sweep shot but missed the ball. Though the Aussies appealed for an LBW, the umpire didn’t declare him out. The bowler was Nathan Lyon. It was crucial over because if the referee had declared Stokes out, the Aussies would have won the match by one run.
10. Jason Roy’s Wicket Against South Africa In 2017
The last controversial dismissal in this list is that of English opener Jason Roy. During a T20 match between South Africa and England in 2017, Roy was sent back to the dressing room for obstructing the field. It was because the replay showed that, to save his wicket, Roy turned from one side to another while rushing back to the crease. The Proteas appealed for purposely blocking the ball, and thus Roy was declared out.
