Top 10 most controversial dismissals in modern-day cricket

Cricket regardless of being called a gentlemen’s game is still a sport where controversies have pioneered its existence persistently. Despite having more than ten legal ways along with an abundance of technological advancements the game still gets spliced with controversial verdicts when it comes to an individual’s decision of dismissal. 

The laws for the modes of dismissals like Mankading and Obstructing the field are often the ones which have fabricated darkened controversies wherein sometimes almost the law itself has got befuddled. However, over the years the game has evolved significantly when it comes to giving clear verdicts at least especially from the times when the concept of home umpires was an anathema for the touring teams. 

Controversies in an assertive way can also be called the game’s bounteous attainment as time and again it has tested a player or a team’s virtuous spirits. So here comes the top 10 most controversial dismissals in modern-day cricket which caused discordance in the cricket fraternity.

1. R Ashwin Mankads Jos Buttler (IPL 2019)

Ravichandran Ashwin Mankading Jos Buttler was perhaps the biggest controversy of the year 2019 as the incident quarrelled heated opinions within the cricketing fraternity. Buttler before this incident already had a bitter taste of Mankading when similar actions were performed by the Sri Lankan spinner Sachithra Senanayake back in 2014. 

The actions of this incident happened during KXIP’s jarring against RR when Ashwin stopped midway through his bowling action and knocked over the bails hence capturing Jos Buttler on leaving his crease early. The on-field umpires didn’t withdraw Ashwin’s appeal and adjudged Buttler out. 

However, the aftermath reply did advocate a different story which became the crux moment of this controversy as the replay displayed Ravichandran Ashwin did seem to intentionally delay the ball’s release for ensuring Buttler’s early leave from the crease. 

2. David Warner’s dismissal against RCB in IPL 2020

For a few years now the IPL which perhaps offers everything world-class in its conduct has faced dreadful scrutiny for its poor quality of umpiring. The incident had occurred in a pivotal eliminator when SRH were chasing a reasonable target of 132 set by Virat Kohli’s men.

It was Mohammad Siraj’s delivery which distinctly pierced into David Warner and finished itself on to the keeper De Villiers hands. However while on its way the ball looked to have touched something either Warner’s glove or his trousers whose indication wasn’t utterly clear. Although, the on-filed umpire did gave it not out but a DRS review did bring the third umpire’s verdict into this. 

Undeniably, with every possible angle being watched the dismissal didn’t surmount enough conclusive evidence in terms of giving David Warner out. But the third umpire Virendra Sharma did overturn the on-field umpire’s decision by adjudging David Warner out. A lot of former cricketers after this incident took a big jibe when it came to the onslaught of umpiring errors during IPL. 

3. Ben Stokes’ dismissal for obstructing the field against Australia (2015)

Obstructing the filed decisions are always an arduous call to make because of its mystifying aspect of classifying the actions of a player whether being intentional or not. Such became an ideal scenario when Ben Stokes was made to taste the bitter medicine of this dismissal. 

The incident took shape when Ben Stokes while facing Mitchell Starc had hit the ball towards him by coming out of his crease. Starc after collecting the ball did throw back at Ben Stokes where Stokes stuck out his hand to block the return at his stumps which made Australians appeal for obstructing the field dismissal. 

The umpires however after carefully reviewing the incident in a slow-motion replay did give Ben Stokes out which absolutely castigated not only Ben Stokes but also the entire Lord’s crowd. The crux of this controversial decision was that in slow motion it looked as though Stokes had clearly handled the ball from hitting the stumps but in a real-time replay, it didn’t look like a wilful obstruction.

4. Jason Roy’s dismissal for obstructing the field against South Africa (2017)

Another English batsman which had to take a walk towards the pavilion for obstructing the field happened during South Africa’s tour of England back in 2017 when Roy was sent back by his partner Liam Livingstone. 

The incident occurred when the England opener was redirected to go back on strike but while returning back Roy hurried to make his ground but because of the throw being targeted at stumps Roy eventually ended blocking the ball with his body. 

The decision was sent upstairs into the hands of the third umpire which apparently declared out making Roy feel completely embarrassed. The legality of the decision was purely made because of the way Jason Roy turned from one side to another. Both the skippers desired the controversial decision as not an easy one and it was a 50-50 call to take on. 

5. Sourav Ganguly’s caught behind dismissal against Pakistan (1999)

This incident was recently opened up when the former opposition skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq did acknowledge the incident as utterly controversial. The match itself turns out to be the historic Chennai Test where Pakistan eventually came out on top by winning from a mere margin of 12 runs. 

Coming to the incident then Ganguly had played a shot which went on to hit Azhar Mahmood’s body and the ball then went towards Moin Khan the wicket-keeper who made a drastic appeal of catching it clean. The umpires on the other hand without enquiring much went with the appeal’s flow and adjudged Sourav Ganguly out. 

However, the replay of the dismissal substantially painted a different scenario where the ball had clearly bounced way before when Moin Khan caught the ball. After watching the video one might surely place this controversial decision on the top of all-time umpiring blunders.

6. Usman Khawaja’s caught behind dismissal during 2013 Ashes

This controversial decision can also be regarded as the pinnacle of all controversies which have taken place in recent times. The decision made the Aussies absolutely fumed wherein they demanded some serious explanations on regards to the use of the DRS technology. 

The occurrence happened when Usman Khawaja attempted a drive on Graeme Swann’s delivery which took a massive turn eventually making Khawaja miss his shot. England on the other hand appealed for a nick which immediately propelled the on-field umpire to come up with a decision of out.  

Khawaja after watching the umpire’s finger did call for an immediate review which clearly showed no mark on his bat while using the hotspot technology. Khawaja’s bat getting clipped to his pad was presumably the only noise that even propelled the third umpire Kumar Dharmasena to stay with the on-ground decision.

7. Sourav Ganguly’s caught behind dismissal against Aussies (2008)

Regardless of this Test match being known for the “Monkeygate” incident, it is also very vividly remembered for its disastrous umpiring blunders especially when asked from the Indian fans. Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid were batting like a wall to make India draw the Sydney Test and were all set to bat for two more sessions until this incident happened. 

The incident took shape when Sourav Ganguly while defending Brett Lee’s full-length delivery got nicked at the second slip. Despite Australian’s calling it a clean take, the catch wasn’t neatly taken as the ball did touch the ground at the time when Michael Clarke rolled over. 

Years later India’s legendary off-spinner Harbhajan Singh did opine on the entire Sydney Test incident and said that the Australian skipper Ricky Ponting was the umpire himself as along with claiming the catches he was also pronouncing its verdicts. 

8. Grant Elliot’s run out dismissal against England (2008)

It was the fourth ODI at The Oval during New Zealand’s tour of England when this controversy had taken shape. Regardless of this controversial runout, the ODI match was a nail-biting affair as it was the kiwis who held their nerve and won the match by 1 wicket. 

The incident occurred when Grant Elliot was attempting to take a short single but got collided with the England bowler Ryan Sidebottom and was not only run out but also suffered an injury. When the matter went into the umpire’s hand they asked Collingwood whether he wanted to continue his appeal or not.

England on the other hand didn’t obligate for the withdrawal which made Elliot go back in the dressing room. Collingwood’s call was highly criticized and was classified as a monumental embarrassment to the gentlemen’s game. Also, it marked one of the very few instances when the entire New Zealand dressing room was seen absolutely boiled which is a rarity in today’s times. 

9. Alex Ross’ dismissal for obstructing the field against Hobart Hurricanes in BBL (2017)

Alex Ross’ incident is an elusive occurrence in the Big Bash League’s history which took place in the game between Brisbane Heat and Hobart Hurricanes. While batting first Hobart Hurricanes did post a healthy total of 179 and in the replay, Brisbane Heat went on to have a sublime start all thanks to the skipper Brendon McCullum’s and Sam Heazlett’s 64 run opening stand. 

But with Alex Ross taking the game till the end the incident took place in the 17th over when he hit the ball towards the deep-mid wicket area thus wanting to fetch two runs from the shot. But while completing the second run he changed his direction and ran in the way of the throw which made the ball deflect off from his bat onto the stumps. 

Now although Ross was completely inside the crease the third umpire after watching several replays came to a conclusion that Ross had obstructed the field because of the way he had changed its direction. The dismissal was widely criticized by skipper McCullum when asked about it.

10. Joe Root’s dismissal of caught behind in the Ashes 2013-14

The Ashes of 2013-14 in Australia was unconditionally a one-sided affair wherein the bowling of Mitchell Johnson had entirely shuddered the English team. But apart from facing the shivering caused by Johnson’s bowling, the tour was also highly acknowledged for the controversial Joe Root’s caught behind the dismissal. 

The occurrence took its appearance when Joe Root tried to block Shane Watson’s good length pitched delivery but in the end, he merely ended up edging into the hands of wicketkeeper Brad Haddin. The Australians on the other hand made a convincing appeal for the nick and umpire Marais Erasmus instantly raised his finger. 

However, with Joe Root asking for the review the replay didn’t show any sorts of deviation or vibrations in the Hotspot and Snicko collectively. But a kind of mark did appear when the ball had passed the bat. The decision was not overturned by the third umpire and Root was dismissed for four runs.