10 Worst rumours we have heard around cricket

Cricket is surely an entertaining game on the field. At times, it becomes all the way more entertaining and intriguing at the same time with the talks that start to encircle the on-field matters. However, there are times when things get worse as matters get up and close to the personal life of the cricketers. Like the recent news of AB de Villiers retiring from Test cricket took the world by surprise and thankfully it turned out to be nothing more than a rumour. So where should the line be drawn amidst all this is a spot of concern, but for the fans, these rumours are a part of their everyday cricket dose. Here we have a list of rumours from the world of cricket that bamboozled the fans in every possible way. 1. Saeed Ajmal to Retire? Saeed Ajmal. (© Getty Images) A couple of months before AB’s retirement questions that did rounds, another cricketer Saeed Ajmal was rumoured to be retiring from all forms of the game. The 37-year-old off-spinner from Pakistan rubbished all claims with a press release quoting, “I am a fighter and will fight to regain my spot. Not retiring from International Cricket at all.” Ajmal’s manager Mr Moghees Sheikh also took to media to quote, “All these reports are false.” Ajmal was banned for suspect bowling action last year after which he was cleared of all charges in February 2015. The wily spinner, however, looked off-color and is now vying for a comeback in the team. 2. Coach-Captaincy woes for Cricket Australia: Australian captain Michael Clarke (L) speaks with coach Darren Lehmann. (Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images) The worst of all arguments is the one inside the dressing rooms. The Ganguly-Chappell saga certainly did not do a world of good to either of the two involved. Similar spat rumours were reported in 2014 between the then Aussie captain Michael Clarke and coach Darren Lehmann. The major reason for the fight was cited as the team selection. Moreover, it was said that Clarke was blamed for all the woes of the team when Aussies were thrashed by Pakistan in the UAE while the credits of winning the Ashes never went to him, but the coach. However, a month later, Lehmann rubbished all rift claims by quoting, “Sometimes we agree, sometimes we don’t. That’s all bullshit.” To the point Mr Lehmann, we must agree! 3. And the WAGs get involved too! (Photo Source: Michael Clarke Twitter Handle) In a recent rumour during the Ashes defeat of Australia, rumours were widespread about the feud between Kyly Clarke (Wife of Michael Clarke) and Candice Warner (Wife of David Warner). While the WAGs were being blamed for the loss after former player Ian Healy called the WAGs ‘a distraction’, Candice came in to bat for the WAGs and rubbished all claims of the feud. “This story that we may not get along is total rubbish… I get along with everyone. I am here to support David,” she quoted. 4. Pakistan bribing Zimbabwe? (Photo Source: AFP) After 6 years of the deadly attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009 in Pakistan, international cricket returned to the strife-torn nation when Zimbabwe toured Pakistan. The event was supposed to be a merry affair for the two nations but it turned out ugly as rumours started flying about the PCB bribing the Zimbabwe players to tour Pakistan. PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan rubbished the claims that they ‘bribed’ Zimbabwe into touring Pakistan and quoted, “This is not true as the tour was approved by both boards and just yesterday our Prime Minister sent a message of thanks to Zimbabwe President… In such a situation, there is no question of bribing.” 5. Player in the VIP box? Brad Hodge RR. (Photo Source: BCCI) The Indian Premier League came under the scrutiny for match-fixing during the second edition of the tournament in 2009. The match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders was tipped to be fixed. In the match, the in-form and the star batsman of KKR, Brad Hodge, was dropped from the team and was later seen in the Hospitality box instead of being in the dugout which sparked the rumours. Lalit Modi, the then IPL head intervened and said, “There are absolutely no issues. We are following the guidelines. I am happy that Brad went and sat along with his family in the box.” 6. Match fixing haunts Pakistan again: (© Getty Images) Pakistan’s performance in the 3rd ODI against England last year, played at Sharjah on November 17, 2015, was far from impressive. Pakistan after electing to bat, lost wickets in a heap and were bundled out for a paltry total of 208 with only Mohammad Hafeez crossing the 40-run mark (45 of 67 balls). In the run chase, the bowling certainly looked shabby and the target was chased down easily in 41 overs and Pakistan lost the match by 6 wickets. Reports also claimed that right after the toss, it was expected that Pakistan would put up a dismal performance and the Indian betting market had put up billions of dollars per game and wanted the Pakistani side to lose. Later the PCB chief said that the reports were absolutely wrong and they will raise the issue with the ICC. Waqar Younis, the coach of the team, also said that he had full faith in his boys and such speculations are baseless. 7. Kohli-Dhawan controversy: Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: BCCI) During India’s tour down under in 2014-15, there were reports of a feud between Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli. There were reports that Kohli argued with Dhawan and accused him of running away from the challenge. The then Indian Test skipper, MS Dhoni, rubbished all claims citing the injury as a reason why Dhawan didn’t come out to bat. Dhoni joked, “Virat used a knife and stabbed Shikhar. When he recovered, we pushed him to bat.” “These are all stories. Marvel and Warner Bros should pick them up and make a movie… Stuff like that makes good stories for the tabloid and maybe it helps them sell it. As far as reality is concerned, there is nothing like that,” he added. 8. Merv Hughes insured his Moustache: Merv Hughes. (© Getty Images) Former Australian fast bowler who was very famous for his antics on the field and his sledging, Merv Hughes, was rumoured to have insured his famous moustache. His moustache was as popular as his bowling. Described by the Cricinfo as ‘being of incredible proportions’, Hughes moustache was popular among the audiences. Hughes was said to have insured it for 200000 Euros. However, during the 2013 Ashes, in an interview with the Sky Sports, Hughes rubbished all such claims and said it was a false news. 9. Kevin Cheaterson?! Kevin Pietersen. (© Getty Images) The poster boy of English cricket after the historic Ashes win in 2005, Kevin Pietersen dated the Big Brother ‘beauty’ and fellow South African Vanessa Nimmo. Pietersen is said to have dated her for a month before breaking up with her following a stormy session of message exchanges. However, soon after the breakup, rumours were flying around about Pietersen being desperate for sex and that he kept pestering the lady all day for it. Later, even the lady quoted, “I certainly wasn’t hit for a six by his performance.” A few tabloids called him ‘Kevin Cheaterson’ after the incident. 10. Master’s daughter in Bollywood?! Sachin Disappointed over Rumours about her Daughter. (Photo Source: Zimbio) The worst of all rumours surfaced the internet when Sachin Tendulkar’s daughter Sara Tendulkar was rumoured to be making her Bollywood debut opposite Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor. Sachin certainly did not see any joke in this and was absolutely miffed with the rumours. “My daughter Sara is enjoying her academic pursuits. Annoyed at all baseless speculation about her joining films,” tweeted Sachin Tendulkar. Also read: Top 10 Players with 100s and most wickets in the same Test

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10 Worst rumours we have heard around cricket

3. And the WAGs get involved too!

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