Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the world, and it is the dream of many individuals to become an international cricketer one day. However, to succeed in this sport, one does not only need to master the art of batting, bowling or fielding but also have great mental strength.
An opponent may play mind games with you and force you to play against your natural game even when you are the best batter in the world. However, it is also important to remain calm and cool in tense situations, which is not everyone’s cup of tea.
Over the last many years, fans have witnessed multiple incidents, where captains have asked their teams to come off the field after being unhappy with the decisions. Here’s a compilation of four such incidents.
1. Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals, IPL 2022 cricket match
Fans saw a massive controversy during the 2022 IPL season, when Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant asked his batters to come back during a match against Rajasthan Royals. It was because of a no-ball decision. The players returned and completed the match, with DC losing in the end.
2. Pakistan vs India, 1983
During the Bengaluru Test between India and Pakistan in 1983, Pakistan had to complete 77 overs in India’s second innings of a rain-marred Test. Pakistan’s captain Zaheer Abbas was not so keen on it but agreed.
Eventually though, when 77 overs were completed, Sunil Gavaskar wanted to continue the game because he was near his century, but Zaheer and his men left the field. After the umpires warned Pakistan that the match would be forfeited, only then they came back and completed the match.
3. Pakistan vs England, 2006
In 2006, umpires awarded five runs to England as a penalty to Pakistan for alleged ball-tampering. As a protest, Pakistan did not come back to the field, forcing the umpires to award the win to England directly. Later on, the decision was reversed to match abandoned.
4. New Zealand vs West Indies, 1980
After winning two Cricket World Cups and defeating Australia away from home, West Indies headed to New Zealand for a Test series. However, they lost by one wicket. In that series, umpire Fred Goodall, who was a teacher, came into the center of the controversy.
Due to multiple umpiring errors, West Indies went off the field and did not come back, demanding a change of umpire. The management did not make any changes, prompting West Indies to play badly and even consider abandoning the tour.
