From Criminal Case Against MS Dhoni To S Sreesanth's Spot Fixing, 10 Biggest Controversies In The History Of Indian Cricket - In Pics

One of the biggest controversies in Indian cricket history involved former England skipper and match referee Mike Denness. In 2001, Denness handed bans to several Indian cricketers, accusing Sachin Tendulkar of ball tampering. This decision shocked the cricketing fraternity, and it led to bans for Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Deep Dasgupta, Harbhajan Singh, and Shiv Sunder Das. Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly was also punished for failing to control his team. The actions of Denness were met with strong opposition from Indian fans, who burned his effigies. The bans on Tendulkar and Ganguly were later overturned.

In 2015, MS Dhoni faced a criminal case filed against him in Bengaluru for allegedly outraging religious sentiments. The case was based on a magazine cover from 2013, which showed Dhoni holding various objects, including a shoe. Dhoni had to approach the Supreme Court to quash the criminal proceedings, stating that the complaint was intended to harass him. Eventually, the Supreme Court ruled in Dhoni's favor, and the case was dismissed in 2016.

With Karan, Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul found themselves in a major controversy after their appearance on the popular TV show, Koffee With Karan, in 2019. During the show, Pandya made sexist and racist comments, while Rahul remained mostly silent. The remarks sparked outrage, and both players faced consequences. Pandya was replaced in the Indian team for limited-overs matches, and they received criticism from former cricketers and the public for their inappropriate statements.

One of the most infamous captain-coach controversies in Indian cricket history involved Greg Chappell and Sourav Ganguly. During India's tour of Zimbabwe, Chappell suggested dropping Ganguly from the Test side, citing concerns about his fitness and leadership abilities. Ganguly retaliated, claiming that recommending Chappell as the coach was his biggest mistake. Ganguly was eventually sacked as captain and dropped from the ODI side. Chappell's tenure as the Indian coach came to an end after the team's early exit from the 2007 World Cup.

The Sydney Test between Australia and India in 2007-08 became one of the most controversial matches. Numerous wrong umpiring decisions went against India, including a controversial catch involving Sourav Ganguly and allegations of racial abuse against Harbhajan Singh by Andrew Symonds. Frustrated by the series of events, the Indian team threatened to withdraw from the tour. After an inquiry, Harbhajan's ban was lifted, and India went on to win the next Test match.  

The Indian Premier League (IPL) was hit by a spot-fixing and betting scandal in 2013, which shocked cricket fans. Several former cricketers and team owners were arrested for their alleged involvement in spot-fixing. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) franchises were particularly affected, with players like Sreesanth, Chavan, and Chandila being arrested. Both CSK and RR were suspended for two years, leaving a lasting impact on the tournament's reputation.  

Mohammad Azharuddin, a highly successful captain of the Indian cricket team, faced a major controversy when he was accused of match-fixing. It was alleged that Azharuddin was involved in fixing matches in collaboration with bookies. He was subsequently banned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the International Cricket Council (ICC). Although his ban was lifted by the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 2012, the controversy tarnished his legacy.  

Navjot Singh Sidhu, known for his flamboyant batting and later as a cricket commentator, faced a major controversy when he was charged with murder. In 1988, Sidhu allegedly had a heated argument with a man during a road rage incident, which resulted in the man's death. Sidhu was initially acquitted by the district court, but the decision was overturned by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The case reached the Supreme Court, where a review petition was filed by the victim's family.  

During an IPL match in 2008, Harbhajan Singh, playing for Mumbai Indians, slapped S Sreesanth, who represented the Kings XI Punjab. The incident caused a major uproar, and Harbhajan was banned for the remainder of the tournament. Harbhajan later expressed regret for his actions, and he and Sreesanth have maintained a friendly relationship since then.  

Virat Kohli, the current Indian captain, found himself in controversy during a Test match against Australia in 2012. Frustrated by abusive comments from the crowd, Kohli showed his middle finger to the spectators. The incident drew criticism from the local media, and Kohli was penalized by the match referee. The incident served as a learning experience for Kohli, who has since matured as a player and leader.