5 instances when things took an ugly turn on the cricket field.
5 Instances When Things Turned Ugly On Cricket Field, Feat. Gautam Gambhir & Shane Watson. (Credits: X)
Jammu & Kashmir captain Paras Dogra went on to headbutt Karnataka's substitute fielder KV Aneesh on Day 2 of the high-stakes Ranji Trophy 2026 final at the KSCA Hubli Ground, Hubli. The incident has captured spotlight in widespread fashion as tensions flared massively as the flashpoint occurred in the 101st over of the innings. However, this was not the first instance that things have evaporated slightly out of control in the gentleman's game.
The incident occurred during the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2008-09 hosted by Delhi. The precise moment took place during the 51st over of the innings when he ran into Shane Watson when trying to complete his second run. According to ESPN Cricinfo, Gambhir clarified that it wasn't deliberate and that the incident just happened. The referee had charged both Gambhir and Watson with 'spirit of the game' offences. While Gambhir was banned from the subsequent fourth Test in Nagpur, Watson copped a 10% fine on his match fee as it was revealed that he had provoked Gambhir.
Former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Mustafizur Rahman copped heavy fines over their collision during the first ODI between India and Bangladesh in Mirpur in 2015. The incident had occurred during the 25th over of India's batting innings when then Indian skipper had set off for a single after nudging one to mid-off. With Mustafizur seemingly moving towards the path where Dhoni ran, the keeper-batter appeared to shove him out of the way with his forearm. Dhoni was docked 75% of his match fee, while Mustafizur got fined 50%. Dhoni was found to have breached Article 2.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct that relates to "inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players in the course of play during an international match."
Tensions escalated big time between Asif Ali and Fareed Ahmad during the crunch match between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Asia Cup 2022. The tense moment took place when Ahmad dismissed the in-form Asif, who was going all guns blazing at that stage. The incident took place as Ahmad was celebrating the wicket and Ali was walking off to the pavilion. A fired up Ahmad had seemingly irked Asif, who raised his bat and almost hit the opposition player. Both were fined 25 per cent of their match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Virat Kohli and then Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) seamer Naveen-ul-Haq had engaged in an infamous clash after the two sides competed in IPL 2023. With Gautam Gambhir also embroiling himself in the controversy, Naveen blamed Kohli for catching his hands forcefully following the game. The right-arm seamer also asserted that the RCB batting stalwart said things that he shouldn't have, forcing Naveen to react that way.
Australian spin great Shane Warne and West Indies' Marlon Samuels were involved in a fiery clash during the 2013 edition of the Big Bash League (BBL). Warne, playing for the Melbourne Stars, confronted his Renegades' opponent physically and verbally. a reaction provoked by Samuels grabbing David Hussey's shirt to prevent him from taking the second run. Warne had notably pointed a figner on Samuels in threatening fashion, resulting in the leggie getting suspended for a game. While Warne was found guilty of four breaches by Cricket Australia's Code of Behaviour, Samuels was charged with two offences.
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