TOP 5 CRICKET CONTROVERSIES OF 2023

During the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), RCB’s Virat Kohli and LSG’s Naveen-ul-Haq engaged in a heated exchange. The tension remained even after the end of the game

- RENIN WILBEN

The year 2023 is coming to an end, and we witnessed plenty of drama both on and off the cricket field. It we look back at the year that is about to pass by, Australia had the most memorable time of all sides. They won the World Test Championship (WTC), retained the Ashes, and then clinched the ODI World Cup in India, enjoying themselves to the hilt. India were brilliant in ODIs. In the World Cup, they won 10 matches in a row. However, it all came to nothing as they couldn’t come up with their best in the final. England, New Zealand, and Pakistan were inconsistent and West Indies even failed to qualify for the World Cup. Apart from on-field action, the year 2023 also had its fair share of controversies. As we bid goodbye to the year, here’s a recap of the top controversies of 2023.

1. VIRAT KOHLI-GAUTAM GAMBHIR FIGHT OVER NAVEEN-UL-HAQ

During the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), RCB’s Virat Kohli and LSG’s Naveen-ul-Haq engaged in a heated exchange. The tension remained even after the end of the game as Naveen and Kohli had a very awkward post-match handshake. A video emerged later in which LSG skipper KL Rahul was trying to play mediator, but Naveen walked away. What was even more shocking was the footage of Kohli and then LSG mentor Gambhir have a go at each other. They had to be separated, so high was the tension. It all ended well though as Naveen and Kohli had a warm exchange during the World Cup, letting bygones be bygones. Gambhir has also made it clear that he has nothing personal against Kohli and that his fight is restricted to the cricket field.