Cricket Controversies of 2023: Usman Khawaja’s Pro-Palestine Shoes to Ravindra Jadeja’s Ointment in BGT

Enthralling cricket matches, incredible on-field performances, several memorable moments, and some heartbreaking losses characterized 2023. In the midst of all the excitement, a number of on-field incidents generated a great deal of controversy and intense fan response.

As 2023 comes to an end, let’s take a moment to reflect on all the scandals that caused such a stir among followers and on social media.

Disputations in 2023

Anointing of Jadeja in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy

After a protracted injury break, Ravindra Jadeja returned to action during the Australia Test series earlier this year. Despite being a source of inspiration, one of his performances caused controversy. The all-round player was seen putting cream on his bowling hand’s index finger during the Nagpur Test. The cream was for medicinal reasons, according to team management afterward, but the on-field umpires were not informed of this.

The match referee determined that he had violated Article 2.20 of the ICC Code of Conduct, and he was assessed a demerit point and a 25% deduction from his match fee.

Naveen against. Kohli, Ft. Gambhir

One of the most spectacular on-field confrontations of the year occurred during the last IPL leg. Naveen-ul-Haq was allegedly left furious by Virat Kohli’s sledge during the LSG vs. RCB match in Lucknow. After the match, Naveen pushed away Kohli’s hand during the ceremonial handshake, expressing his frustration even though RCB had won. When members of both sides attempted to separate Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli after an intense conversation, the situation worsened. Following the event, the IPL Governing Council severely penalized all three players.

The Bairstow Stumping/run-out

A series of incidents marred England’s defeat in the Ashes Test at Lord’s, which sparked a heated conversation over the “spirit of the game.” After Jonny Bairstow immediately left his crease after ducking to leave a short ball from Cameron Green, the drama started. As Bairstow began to approach Ben Stokes at the non-striker’s end, Alex Carey, who had been holding the ball in his gloves, struck the stumps in response to an Australian demand for a wicket.

While Bairstow was completely perplexed by the situation, the third umpire immediately disqualified him after seeing the TV footage.

Following the incident, a few spectators in the Long Room yelled obscenities and got into physical altercations with the Australian players as the teams headed back to the changing room. Subsequently, the three abusers received lifelong bans from the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which is in charge of upholding cricket regulations.

Why Harmanpreet Was Suspended

During the last ODI of a series between India and Bangladesh, Indian women’s team captain Harmanpreet Kaur received a two-match ban for two distinct violations of the ICC Code of Conduct. She hit the stumps with her bat to show her disapproval of being adjudged LBW, and at the post-match presentation, she referred to the umpire as “pathetic.” In a mocking tone, she also requested that the umpires be invited to the prize presentation with the teams.

After missing two straight Asian Games bouts, she came back in play and brought the first-ever Asiad gold medal home.

The Ashes ball-change issue

There was a new debate over the ball during the fifth and final Ashes Test. The umpire declared the ball to be out of shape after it struck Australia’s opener Usman Khawaja’s helmet on the fourth day. This contributed to the England team winning the fifth Test of the 2023 Ashes series, which finished in a 2-2 tie.

But the following ball to be taken seemed to be more recent than the previous one, which altered the game’s trajectory and resulted in Australia being bowled out for 334 runs. The Australian cricket community was incensed by the decision, since ball-tracking data during the broadcast indicated the ball had more substantial movement post-ball change on day five at The Oval than on day four.

Namaz being offered on the pitch by Rizwan

When Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter, Mohammad Rizwan, performed the Namaz on the cricket pitch during their World Cup opener against The Netherlands in Hyderabad, he grabbed the attention of many. With a 68-run innings, the 31-year-old was a major factor in Pakistan’s victory, but at the start of the competition, his act of praying during a live cricket match became a major talking point.

Mathews ran out of time.

One of the most unusual dismissals in the history of the game occurred during the 2023 World Cup in India. During the group stage match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in New Delhi, Angelo Mathews was the first batsman in international cricket history to be “timed-out.” Just before facing the opening ball, the former captain of Sri Lanka complained that his helmet strap was broken and requested for a replacement. Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan filed an appeal against his expulsion since it took him longer than the allotted period. Matthews eventually received the command to march.

Even though Shakib & Co. won their second game in the competition, Mathews sealed the deal by getting rid of the Bangladesh captain in the second innings.

Following the game, Shakib explained it away as a “unlucky” event that fell within the regulations, but Mathews continued his argument with video proof.

Johnson v. Warner

Mitchell Johnson, a former teammate, gave David Warner some harsh comments before to the last Test series of his career. The former left-arm quick took aim at the choice to allow Warner to choose his farewell series in a fiery essay for The West Australian. A few days later, Warner responded quietly, saying that Johnson had expressed his thoughts and that the batter wasn’t able to influence it much. However, the left-hander did dispel the fears of his former comrade by scoring a century in the first Test match against Pakistan.

Khawaja’s Show of Assistance

In an effort to show his support for the victims of the Gaza crisis, Usman Khawaja has been engaged in a legal struggle with the International Cricket Council (ICC). He was seen during the team’s training session wearing shoes with the phrases “All lives are equal” and “Freedom is a human right” ahead of the first Test in Perth. However, he abandoned his intention to wear them throughout the match in order to comply with ICC rules. Rather, he put on a black armband.

The 36-year-old, nevertheless, received criticism from the governing body for wearing the black armband. Furthermore, during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, the ICC forbade him from wearing a peace emblem on his bat.

In an Instagram video, Khawaja said he would keep fighting and asking permission to voice his opinions.