From Virushka to Suresh Raina: The top 5 controversial cricket moments of 2020

First Published Dec 29, 2020, 9:49 AM IST

Cricket in 2020 was pretty much restricted owing to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. However, despite missing out on most of the action, it had no shortage of controversies. From Virushka to Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma, quite a few top names did surface this season.

<p>The year 2020 has been no short of controversies on all fronts, while the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic has led to a health and political war, besides bringing the globe and the sporting world to a standstill. Cricket was one of the sports to be affected, as most of the actions were delayed or cancelled.</p>

The year 2020 has been no short of controversies on all fronts, while the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic has led to a health and political war, besides bringing the globe and the sporting world to a standstill. Cricket was one of the sports to be affected, as most of the actions were delayed or cancelled.

<p>However, it did not stop the sport from witnessing a few controversies of its own. From players to management, quite a few were involved in some of them, as we take a look at the top five controversial moments of the year.</p>

However, it did not stop the sport from witnessing a few controversies of its own. From players to management, quite a few were involved in some of them, as we take a look at the top five controversial moments of the year.

<p><strong>Rohit Sharma and his fitness:</strong> It all started during the Indian Premier League (IPL) when Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma missed a few games for the side owing to a hamstring strain. Furthermore, with an eye on the Australia tour, he was asked to rest and not aggravate the injury. However, he ignored the request and decided to play the final three matches, thereby winning the title for his side. Incidentally, he had not recovered completely, as he missed out on the limited-overs leg and the opening two Tests in Australia. Moreover, skipper Virat Kohli dropped a bomb on a lack of communication regarding Rohit's fitness and availability with the team management.</p>

Rohit Sharma and his fitness: It all started during the Indian Premier League (IPL) when Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma missed a few games for the side owing to a hamstring strain. Furthermore, with an eye on the Australia tour, he was asked to rest and not aggravate the injury. However, he ignored the request and decided to play the final three matches, thereby winning the title for his side. Incidentally, he had not recovered completely, as he missed out on the limited-overs leg and the opening two Tests in Australia. Moreover, skipper Virat Kohli dropped a bomb on a lack of communication regarding Rohit's fitness and availability with the team management.

<p><strong>Sunil Gavaskar stirs another Virushka controversy:</strong> During the IPL, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli looked in a rough touch in the initial few games. Meanwhile, former Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar, who was on commentary for Star Sports, popped up Kohli's Bollywood wife, Anushka Sharma, and rued that the reason for Kohli's grey patch was because he had practice under her bowling during the lockdown. Later, Anushka demanded an explanation from Gavaskar for his comments, while fans hit back at the latter and even urged Star Sports to drop him from the panel. Nonetheless, Gavaskar's son Rohan came to his rescue, saying that the former's comments were taken out of context.</p>

Sunil Gavaskar stirs another Virushka controversy: During the IPL, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli looked in a rough touch in the initial few games. Meanwhile, former Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar, who was on commentary for Star Sports, popped up Kohli's Bollywood wife, Anushka Sharma, and rued that the reason for Kohli's grey patch was because he had practice under her bowling during the lockdown. Later, Anushka demanded an explanation from Gavaskar for his comments, while fans hit back at the latter and even urged Star Sports to drop him from the panel. Nonetheless, Gavaskar's son Rohan came to his rescue, saying that the former's comments were taken out of context.

<p><strong>Concussion/injury substitute:</strong> It was during the opening Twenty20 International (T20I) against Australia when all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja suffered a hamstring injury. Later, he was hit by a bouncer, while leg-spinner Yuzendra Chahal replaced him as a concussion substitute, who claimed four wickets to win India's clash. Nonetheless, it stirred controversy from the Australians, who believed that Jadeja misused the rule to be replaced for his injury, rather than the concussion.</p>

Concussion/injury substitute: It was during the opening Twenty20 International (T20I) against Australia when all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja suffered a hamstring injury. Later, he was hit by a bouncer, while leg-spinner Yuzendra Chahal replaced him as a concussion substitute, who claimed four wickets to win India's clash. Nonetheless, it stirred controversy from the Australians, who believed that Jadeja misused the rule to be replaced for his injury, rather than the concussion.

<p><strong>Mushfiqur Rahim threatens teammate: </strong>It was during the Bangabandhu T20 League when during a match, Mushfiqur Rahim threatened to hit his teammate with the ball, following a collision between the two while taking the catch. The video of the same went viral, as he was heavily criticised for his actions. Nonetheless, Rahim later went on to apologise to his teammate.</p>

Mushfiqur Rahim threatens teammate: It was during the Bangabandhu T20 League when during a match, Mushfiqur Rahim threatened to hit his teammate with the ball, following a collision between the two while taking the catch. The video of the same went viral, as he was heavily criticised for his actions. Nonetheless, Rahim later went on to apologise to his teammate.

<p><strong>Suresh Raina opts out of IPL:</strong> Raina was supposed to be a part of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during the IPL. Although he travelled with the side to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), he left even before the tournament went underway, owing to personal reasons. However, there were reports that Raina had opted out owing to non-preferential treatment, like skipper MS Dhoni, from the CSK management, leading to a controversy.</p>

Suresh Raina opts out of IPL: Raina was supposed to be a part of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during the IPL. Although he travelled with the side to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), he left even before the tournament went underway, owing to personal reasons. However, there were reports that Raina had opted out owing to non-preferential treatment, like skipper MS Dhoni, from the CSK management, leading to a controversy.