In this advanced technology world, print and social media has a vital role that had always influenced the cricket world. Now the players can easily share their opinion regarding anything on this social platform.

By this, it has given a golden chance for the cricket fans to know their favorite player’s thoughts. Undoubtedly, it has become a major link between the cricketers and their fans. As social media is very much important not only for the cricketers, their fans but also it has a big hand in the growth of these sports.

Social media is the most important part of cricketers as they are not only able to share their opinion but also it has given much fame and popularity. The players have given such statements in the heat of the moment during the on-field or off-field that has hurt their image very badly.

Let’s Have A Look On 10 Such Controversial Statements Made By Our Cricketers:

1. James Anderson and Virat Kohli Controversy:

Anderson gave a very controversial statement on Virat Kohli that was a highly trended in social media. “I am not sure whether Virat Kohli has changed or not. I think there must be any technical deficiencies that has got him which has shown its results here. The wickets that was taken was not co-ordinated. There was no such pace in the wicket to get the nicks like we had done against him in England, with every movements.” Anderson gave this statement in 2016.

2. Sehwag and MS Dhoni Controversy:

Former Indian Cricketer Virender Sehwag Slams MS Dhoni’s captaincy. Sehwag gave this statement in 2012, he stated that “I do not know what others feel about it, but during the time when MS Dhoni took over the Indian Team captaincy, we already had a very strong team that was existing. So, not only his captaincy helped to win the World Cup for India but also our team has its hand over it. We had a very strong team, so we won the World Cups — T20 and World Cup. So, it is simple as that, if you have a good team, you win.”

3. Shoaib Over Sachin and Dravid Controversy:

Shoaib Akhtar, the former Pakistan player, who never steps back to give his bold statements over anything. Shoaib gave a statement which was over the legendary cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rahul Dravid. This Following statement was also wrote in Shoaib’s autobiography ‘Controversially Yours.’ “I think cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid were not exactly can be declared as the match winners to start with, nor these players know the art and technique of finishing the match.” He stated.

4. Chris Gayle Controversy:

Chris Gayle is one of the well-known personalities among the cricket world. At the time of his career, Gayle was into many controversies that were knowingly and unknowingly. But the main controversy was highlighted when he was having an interview after a BBL match.

The explosive batsman happily praised the commentator’s beauty and offered her for drinks which didn’t happen to go well with anyone who came to know about this highlighted controversy. The ‘Universe Boss’ was fined with $10000 for his misconduct after the interview got viral and several other women had a very bad experience. After this incident, Gayle did not participate in BBL and in his book “Six Machine” he has explained thoroughly how his statements were blown out of proportion.

5. Shahid Afridi’s Statement Over Indian Team Controversy:

Afridi is one of the cricketers who has always rooted for India-Pakistan bond with respect to the administrative relations between the two countries. He was the captain of the Pakistan Team when the team played at the time of semi-final against India in the 2011 World Cup.

Shahid Afridi gave this statement after Pakistan Team loss the semi-final toss in 2011 World-Cup against Team India, “In my opinion, if I have to share the truth, then it will be the Indian who will never have such big hearts like Muslims and Pakistanis. I do not think they have the big and clean hearts that Allah has provided us.”

6. Hardik Pandey Controversy:

The most highlighted controversy in the cricket world was the Hardik Pandey’s statement have during the famous talk show, “Koffee With Karan”. “When I lost my virginity, I return home and told that – I had a sex today. At a party my parents asked me that acha tera wala (women) kaun sa hai (who is your interest here?) so I said yeah, yeah, yeah (pointing out women) and they were like waah proud of u beta.” Hardik Pandey gave this sexist statement on ‘Koffee with Karan’ show.

7. Vinod Kambli On Sachin Tendulkar Controversy:

Twenty-six years ago, In the Harris Shield tournament that had gifted the Indian team with two cricketing jewels. One is the God of Cricket, Master Blaster, Sachin Tendulkar, and the other one was the extremely gifted left-handed batsman, Vinod Kambli.

Vinod Kambli gave a controversial statement in the post-retirement bash of Sachin Tendulkar. He told that- “I am extremely hurt. I had expected my name to be part of his farewell speech. If anything for our famous partnership. It was the famous world record partnership that has changed our career point. That was the phase when everyone came to know who was Vinod and Sachin. I had a contribution and our it was the time were our career started. I had an expectation that he could have mentioned this part at least. I have been part of Sachin’s cricket journey for almost 10 years old, off the field as well. We have seen good as well as bad times. I have always been there for him. All I can say that he has forgotten me.”

8. Kagiso Rabada And Virat Kohli Controversy:

In this modern cricket era, there will two cricketing stars namely, Team India captain, Virat Kohli and the South African pacer, Kagiso Rabada. The South African pacer might have become the star performer in the 2019 World-Cup but due to lack of his performance, he just missed the golden chance. Rabada gave a controversial statement on Virat Kohli when the Indian Team Captain showed his tantrum in the field.

The South African pacer told that “I was just thinking about the match plan, really, but Virat Kohli, he just hit me for a boundary and then he had a word. And then when you give it back to him, he gets screwed up. I don’t understand this guy. Maybe he does it because it gets him going, but that comes across as a very immature for me. He is a phenomenal cricketer but he can not take the abuse.“

9. Arjuna Ranatunga Controversy:

The Former Sri-Lankan cricketer is very much busy with his political affairs but he has always given his interest in the cricket world. In 2015 Ranatunga contested for the post of vice-president role in Sri-Lankan Cricket but he faced a very humiliating defeat from Sumathipala. In 2017 when the Sri-Lankan team lost an ODI series against Zimbabwe, Ranatunga made a shocking revelation on his social media account.

In that post, the former Sri Lankan captain explained how he was shocked by his team’s loss in the 2011 World Cup. He demanded an immediate inquiry and he told that he has doubt on a couple of players of that team. The former Sri Lankan skipper made an astonishing claim that the 2011 World Cup final was fixed and that is the only reason India became champions.

10. Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior Controversy:

Kevin Pietersen was one of the most stylish and the most successful batsmen of ODI matches. He was the reason behind several championships that have been won by England Team. He has always loved public attention whether it will be good or bad. In the year 2012, he witnessed his disciplinary issues dragging down his career.

The fall-out was such in a manner that it cannot be mended. Pietersen on his biography mentioned that Andy Flower was one of the reasons behind the fallout of his career. He also mentioned Matt Prior’s name because according to him, Prior was the main reason for the players falling out with him in the dressing room. This matter was in the highlight which took a lot of time to get cleared.