Top 10 Most Hated Cricket Players In The World
The so-called “gentleman’s game,” cricket, has a sizable fan base all around the world. There are, however, some athletes within the enormous field of this sport who have managed to amass significant hostility and condemnation throughout the course of their careers. In this article, we will examine the top 10 cricket players in the world who are most despised, as well as the causes of their reputation and the effects they have had on the sport. Let’s face it; the sport of cricket has had its share of notorious personalities. These are the players who have garnered a lot of disapproval from both spectators and their fellow cricketers owing to their theatrics on the pitch, their conduct off the pitch, or perhaps even their cricketing style. People may not like them because of a specific incident, a pattern of misbehaviour, or just their general attitude.
1. Shahid Afridi:
Shahid Afridi was formerly thought to be one of Pakistan’s most talented players, but his renown quickly diminished as his temperament and inconsistent play came to light. Afridi, who is well-known for his aggressive batting style and distinctive bowling action, frequently let his emotions to get the best of him, which resulted in arguments and conflicts on the pitch.
2. Ricky Ponting:
Despite having exceptional batting ability, Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting endured tremendous criticism throughout his career. Ponting frequently polarised cricket fans throughout the world due to his on-field disputes. He was known for his fiery competitiveness and belligerent demeanour. The most successful captain in history, Ricky Ponting, used dirty tricks to help Australia win games. For Australia’s success, he was willing to do everything. The Australians would taunt the opposing side and use foul language, and he occasionally would employ unfair tactics, including making up appeals. Many cricket fans around the world became angry as a result.
3. Virat Kohli:
There are numerous explanations for why Virat Kohli is so despised. First off, he is a very aggressive player who frequently taunts rivals on the pitch. He also frequently engages in heated debates with rival players and umpires. His detractors frequently label this hostility as unsportsmanlike conduct. The fact that Virat Kohli is frequently criticised for being cocky and arrogant is another factor in why so many people loathe him. He has a history of making contentious statements in interviews and getting into fights with other players on the pitch. Some individuals believe that he lacks respect for his rivals and the game itself.
4. Hashim Amla:
Cricket fans all across the world have been very critical of the South African batsman Hashim Amla. His lethargic batting style, which frequently irritates spectators wishing for a more thrilling game, is the main cause of this. Amla has also been a part of various contentious occasions. Like the time he resisted getting out after being declared lbw during a Test match against England. Both fans and commentators continued to criticise this as a result.
5. Kevin Pietersen:
Due to his unique playing style and outspoken personality, England’s flamboyant batsman Kevin Pietersen stirred up passionate feelings throughout his career. The aggressive nature of Pietersen and his conflicts with colleagues led to his reputation as one of cricket’s most polarising players. He has engaged in a number of well-publicized altercations with both teammates and rivals, and he has never been afraid to express his opinions on teammates, coaches, or even his own captain.
6. Salman Butt:
Opening batsman Salman Butt of Pakistan descended to the lowest levels by openly taking part in match-fixing controversies, undermining both cricket and his country’s confidence. His actions not only showed disdain for the game but also diminished Pakistan’s standing in cricket. Because of this, Butt has amassed a sizable fan base of enemies who are unlikely to ever forgive him for his treachery.
7. Marlon Samuels:
Marlon Samuels, a West Indian batsman, gained notoriety in international cricket mostly as a result of his physical altercations with rival players and referees. His reputation was further tainted by suspensions stemming from charges of match-fixing, making him one of the cricket community’s least-liked players.
8. Sreesanth:
Another Indian player on Indian fans’ list of players they despise is S Sreesanth. S Sreesanth began his career as a promising bowler for India. His role in the 2013 IPL spot-fixing controversy, however, was detrimental to his cricket career. Later on, the charges against him were dropped. He once accused Dinesh Karthik of being the reason he was kicked from the Indian team. Many Indian cricket fans did not enjoy his combative demeanour and sledging while he played for India in international cricket.
9. Greg Chappell:
Due to his contentious position as coach of the Indian cricket team between 2004 and 2007, Greg Chappell is one of the most despised cricket figures in India. One of the key causes is his involvement in the dismissal of Sourav Ganguly as captain, the harm done to Irfan Pathan’s career, and India’s disgraceful loss in the 2007 ODI World Cup. Greg Chappell is well-known for the underarm bowling incident from 1981. In an ODI, the then-Australian captain requested his younger brother Trevor Chappell to throw an underarm delivery when New Zealand required 7 runs off the final ball. This episode is an illogical illustration of how cricket sportsmanship is eroding.
10. MS Dhoni:
Although MS Dhoni is considered to be the most successful Indian captain, he has a sizable following of detractors in his own nation. Some people think that Dhoni is to blame for the retirement of players like Ganguly, Dravid, and Laxman as well as the exclusion of Sehwag, Gambhir, Yuvraj, and Harbhajan from the team. While others despise Dhoni because of his poor performance as captain in international Test matches. Despite having admirers all over the world, the World Cup-winning captain has a sizable and unexplained number of detractors in his own nation.
