The year 2023 was special for cricket in many respects. Under the leadership of Pat Cummins, Australia became the ODI World Cup champion for the sixth time, while the Indian team could not win the title for the third time despite a strong performance.
However, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, Team India was successful in winning the Asia Cup. Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami dominated Indian cricket. Along with the achievements, many controversies were seen on the cricket field.
Angelo Mathews' timeout was the most surprising. Apart from the spat between Virat Kohli, Naveen-ul-Haq and Gautam Gambhir, questions were raised on some decisions of the umpires.
By the end of the year, Rohit Sharma was removed from the captaincy of Mumbai Indians. Then trollers and critics created a ruckus on social media. Presenting the seven biggest controversies of the year that took place on the cricket field.
The semi-finals of the ICC ODI World Cup were played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. British newspaper Daily Mail alleged that the semi-final match between India and New Zealand was initially to be played on pitch number seven but later the match was played on pitch number six which was considered helpful for spinners.
BCCI was also accused of interference in media reports. The interesting thing is that the Indian spinner could take only one wicket on that pitch. Mohammed Shami got the maximum seven wickets. There was controversy over not even a single match of the World Cup being held in Mohali. There were rumors about Ahmedabad getting more matches.
During the IPL, there was a clash between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 1 at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. There was a heated argument between Virat Kohli and Afghanistan's fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq during the match. Later, Lucknow team's mentor Gautam Gambhir also clashed with Kohli. Naveen tried to make fun of Kohli on social media.
Kohli's fans went further and trolled Naveen fiercely. Whenever Naveen entered the field in a match, the spectators would start shouting 'Kohli-Kohli'. When India and Afghanistan clashed during the World Cup, a reconciliation was achieved between the two.
Virat Kohli was playing on 97 runs in the match against Bangladesh in the World Cup. India needed two runs to win while Kohli was three runs away from his 48th century.
Bangladesh spinner Naseem Ahmed, who came to bowl the 42nd over of the Indian innings, bowled the first ball outside the stumps. It was clear that the Bangladesh team did not want to allow Kohli to complete his century. But an even bigger cause of controversy was umpire Richard Kettleborg not giving the ball wide.
Critics alleged that the umpire wanted Kohli to complete his century. Virat Kohli was successful in scoring a century with a six. There was a lot of controversy and discussion over the umpire's decision.
Mohammed Shami was in tremendous form in the World Cup. He had troubled many big batsmen with his bowling. Took five or more wickets three times during the tournament and overall took the maximum of 24 wickets. After taking five wickets against Sri Lanka, Shami sat on the field and touched the ground with both hands. Troller tried to create unnecessary controversy by making allegations on social media.
According to him, Shami was going to perform celebratory prostration but stopped due to critics. Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan celebrated scoring a century by offering namaz on the field.
Mohammed Shami made it clear during a television program this month, I am proud to be an Indian. I am proud to be an Indian Muslim. If I want to prostrate, no one can stop me. I never prostrated on the field after taking 5 wickets. I was surprised at what baseless stories were made about my performance after my sensational bowling against Sri Lanka.
A strange incident happened during the World Cup match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Delhi. Angelo Mathews came out to bat. After coming to the crease, he found that the strap of his helmet was broken.
Mathews pointed towards the pavilion to get another helmet. According to the rules, the next batsman has to be ready within two minutes of the fall of the wicket. After two minutes had passed, Bangladesh captain Shakib-al Hasan appealed for out. The umpire called him timeout.
Mathews asked Shakib to withdraw the decision, but Shakib did not agree. After the match, Lankan and Bangladeshi players did not shake hands. Angelo Mathews became the first player to be timed out in international cricket.
Captain Kapil Dev, who won India its first World Cup in 1983, alleged that he was not invited for the World Cup final. Kapil said that he did not go to the stadium because BCCI had not invited him.
Kapil wanted every member of the 1983 World Cup winning team to be called for the final. Even 2007 and 2011 world champion captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was not seen in the final. Whereas BCCI Secretary Jay Shah had given 'Golden Tickets' to celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth and Sachin Tendulkar. Through the golden ticket, any match could be watched and that too sitting in the VIP box. Fans and many critics raised questions on BCCI for ignoring Kapil Dev.
Ahead of the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League, Mumbai Indians franchise traded Hardik Pandya to Gujarat Titans. Under the captaincy of Pandya, Gujarat became champion in 2022 and runner-up this year. After the trading window closed before the mini auction, Hardik was traded to Mumbai Indians.
A few days later, Rohit Sharma was removed and the reins of Mumbai Indians were handed over to Hardik Pandya, whereas since taking over the leadership in 2013, Rohit Sharma has made Mumbai champion a record five times.
Rohit's fans created a huge uproar on social media. Team flags and jerseys were also burnt on the streets of Mumbai. Within an hour of Rohit Sharma's removal, Mumbai Indians' Instagram page lost four lakh followers.
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