In the modern day cricketing definition, &#8220;Controversy&#8221; forms the C of Cricket and most certainly, the gentleman&#8217;s game isn&#8217;t getting any gentle. 2018 has been feisty, aggressive and compassionate, adding more reasons for the fans to love this beautiful game. But to every high, there&#8217;s a low and to every ray of sunshine, there&#8217;s a glimmer of darkness.

This calendar year witnessed some of the ugliest moments in a long time, both on and off the field. It seemed like some teams had prepared a sequel to their squabbled tales from the previous year. Coach vs captain fiasco in Indian cricket began with Kohli and Kumble and it transpired this year in the women&#8217;s team with Mithali Raj and Ramesh Powar taking centre stage. Following up the DRS saga from 2017, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/bpl-2019-steve-smith-granted-permission-to-take-part-in-t20-tournament/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Steve Smith,</a> David Warner and Cameron Bancroft&#8217;s ball-tampering incident left Australian cricket completely crestfallen.

Some of these infamous scandals were avoidable whilst some were inevitable. Social media&#8217;s intervention made these incidents all the more disreputable, but cricket at the end of the day somehow survived despite some serious bullets being shot towards its integrity.

Here are some five major contemptible tales from 2018 which will be buzzing around for a long time to come.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/12/Cameron-Bancroft-2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-303970" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Cameron-Bancroft-2.jpg" alt="Cameron Bancroft" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-303970" class="wp-caption-text">Cameron Bancroft. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption>

South Africa were on course to win their first ever Test series against Australia on home soil and they seemed to be in a commanding position during the third Test. But then, two men at the helm of Australian cricket &#8211; skipper Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner, took a catastrophic decision which might&#8217;ve jolted their chances of winning the World Cup in 2019.

Rising star Cameron Bancroft was spotted using a sandpaper to change the condition of the ball and was caught on camera. Cameramen started scrutinizing intensely after some commentators observed the ball reversing obscurely very early into the innings. With no skirts to hide behind, the trio of Bancroft, Smith and Warner had to accept their mistake.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/03/Steve-Smith-Cameron-Bancroft.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-234143" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Steve-Smith-Cameron-Bancroft.jpg" alt="Steve Smith &amp; Cameron Bancroft News - Deep Dasgupta" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-234143" class="wp-caption-text">Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft of Australia. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Although ICC didn&#8217;t trounce them severely, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/bancroft-smith-revelations-dont-make-it-tough-for-warner-comeback-ca-chief-kevin-roberts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cricket Australia </a>had their reputation at stake and succumbed to the intense pressure coming from all parts of the globe. Darren Lehmann was sacked as the coach with Smith and Warner were penalized with a one year ban. Young Bancroft, who according to reports had committed the crime owing to pressure from seniors, was banned for nine months.

The worst victim of all was Australian cricket and their passionate fans. They saw their nation getting hammered and swallowed in the worst possible way, also conceding the highest-ever ODI team score to England (481/6). Their performances at the Test level to have downtrodden and it will be interesting to see if the discarded players can make the team instantly raise standards when they come back.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/11/Ramesh-Powar.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-295209" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Ramesh-Powar.jpg" alt="Ramesh Powar" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-295209" class="wp-caption-text">Harmanpreet Kaur and Ramesh Powar. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

This very well seemed like a sequel to the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ms-dhoni-and-anil-kumble-weigh-in-their-opinion-on-the-fast-bowlers-to-be-rested-in-the-ipl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anil Kumble</a> &#8211; Virat Kohli debacle, but with a different plot and different lead characters. Fans got a first sight at the disturbances happening behind the scenes in Indian women&#8217;s cricket when Mithali Raj was dropped for the all-important T20 World Cup semi-final against England a few weeks ago, a game India eventually lost.

A day after Mithali had accused team&#8217;s interim head coach Ramesh Powar of being &#8220;biased and discriminating&#8221;, Powar was quick to pounce, saying Mithali was &#8220;Aloof and difficult to handle&#8221;. Tantrums kept floating around with BCCI putting one leg each on two boats travelling in different directions.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/11/Mithali-Raj.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-292867" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mithali-Raj.jpg" alt="Mithali Raj" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-292867" class="wp-caption-text">Mithali Raj. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

A couple of nights later, T20I skipper <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/stats-harmanpreet-kaur-and-smriti-mandhana-strike-quick-fire-fifties-in-the-womens-bbl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Harmanpreet Kaur</a> and opener Smriti Mandhana had requested the board to not sack Powar despite all the mishap. Eventually, former Indian cricketer, WV Raman was appointed the coach with BCCI not preferring to give an extension to Powar&#8217;s contract. One thing that has been under-said during the whole Pawar Era was the improvement in their performance and a drastic surge of media and fans attention.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/11/Virat-Kohli-5.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-293615" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Virat-Kohli-5.jpg" alt="Virat Kohli" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-293615" class="wp-caption-text">Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Answering some mean tweets online, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/australia-vs-india-virat-kohli-gives-a-perfect-response-to-the-crowds-wanker-chants/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Virat Kohli</a> got a bit agitated and allowed some words to slip out of his tongue which he certainly regretted. &#8220;He (Virat) is an overrated batsman. Nothing seems special in his batting. I enjoy watching English and Aussie cricketers in action more than these Indians,&#8221; wrote a fan and the Indian skipper lost his cool.

Kohli replied vehemently,&#8221;I don&#8217;t think you should live in India. Go and live somewhere else. Why are you in our country and loving other countries? I don&#8217;t mind you not liking me but I don&#8217;t think you should live in our country and like other things. Get your priorities right.&#8221; The whole debate escalated from Kohli&#8217;s insensitivity to freedom of speech and many other topics.

It was out of sheer frustration that the Indian captain reacted that way but we live in a world where we are not allowed to correct mistakes, but every minor mistake gets highlighted in bold letters. Despite Kohli trying his best to explain his point, there was a lot of damage done to his reputation temporarily. If not for his mind-boggling batting renditions, the fans wouldn&#8217;t have forgotten this incident that easily.

4. Derogatory verbal war between De Kock and Warner

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/03/Quinton-de-Kock-David-Warner.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-228722" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Quinton-de-Kock-David-Warner.jpg" alt="Quinton de Kock &amp; David Warner" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-228722" class="wp-caption-text">Quinton de Kock &amp; David Warner. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption>

Banters are healthy as long as they&#8217;re not personally crucifying one&#8217;s feelings and the Sandpaper Gate certainly shadowed what could&#8217;ve been the ugliest controversy of 2018. All the fans who follow David Warner closely on social media would understand how much a family man he is and he will not tolerate anything that makes his family uncomfortable.

During the first Test at Durban, which the Aussies won handsomely, there were some verbal exchanges between Warner and <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/quinton-de-kock-toys-with-rashid-khan-hits-him-for-4-6-and-6/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Quinton de Kock</a>. On their way back to the dressing room after a session, De Kock apparently had muttered something about Warner&#8217;s wife and that fumed the Aussie.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/12/Quinton-de-Kock-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-203557" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Quinton-de-Kock-1.jpg" alt="Quinton de Kock" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-203557" class="wp-caption-text">Quinton de Kock. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)</figcaption>

“I just would have liked him to say the comment a little bit louder, instead of muttering it under his breath next to me and <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/twitter-sees-the-lighter-side-of-the-banter-between-tim-paine-and-rishabh-pant/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tim Paine</a>. Then walking up the stairs and saying ’I didn’t say anything’ as soon as the rest of his team-mates came out. We’re all men and if you’re going to say something, you look someone in the eye and say it,” said Warner.

Cricket South Africa officials released a statement saying the Aussie opener had started the banter with personal abuse during the game, to which Warner replied, “It is quite disappointing that they would come out and make that statement.&#8221; Warner was imposed with $13,500 fine, three demerit points and some damage to his reputation in the eyes of the cricketing audience.

5. Umpiring howlers that shocked the cricketing world

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/12/Tanvir-Ahmed.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-302374" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Tanvir-Ahmed.jpg" alt="Tanvir Ahmed" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-302374" class="wp-caption-text">Tanvir Ahmed. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Umpiring howlers were becoming a cause of concern and to eradicate them, the Decision Review System has been in play for a long time now. But if ever the quality of umpiring can be quantified, Bangladeshi umpire <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/who-is-tanvir-ahmed-the-bangladeshi-umpire-involved-in-no-ball-controversy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tanvir Ahmed</a>&#8216;s two horrendous decisions during the Tigers T20I series against Windies would earn a negative score.

In the second T20I between Windies and Bangladesh, Evin Lewis was deceived by a slower delivery and the ball hit his bat&#8217;s bottom edge before swirling away from the pitch. Much to the audience&#8217;s surprise, he was termed LBW, a decision which infuriated the batsman. DRS saved his day, but what followed later in the 3rd T20I was utterly disastrous.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/12/Carlos-Brathwaite.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-302461" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Carlos-Brathwaite.jpg" alt="Carlos Brathwaite" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-302461" class="wp-caption-text">Carlos Brathwaite. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Oshane Thomas&#8217;s final ball of the fourth over was adjudged no-ball during Bangladesh&#8217;s run chase. When the replays suggested Thomas&#8217; foot was well behind the line, skipper Carlos Brathwaite protested profusely and the game was halted for a good 15 minutes.

After much contemplation, the match referee Jeff Crowe came down and explained to Brathwaite that the decision cannot be overturned as per the laws and will go down under umpiring mistakes. The Windies skipper did a brilliant job to rally his troops and get over the incident and eventually, they managed to win the game convincingly.

Get the latest Cricket News and all the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/tag/cricket-in-2018/">Cricket in 2018</a> articles, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-match-predictions/">Match Predictions</a>, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/fantasy-cricket-tips/">Fantasy Cricket Tips </a>and lots more on <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/">CricTracker.com</a>.

Steve Smith, controversy, Cricket in 2018

In the modern day cricketing definition, “Controversy” forms the C of Cricket and most certainly, the gentleman’s game isn’t getting any gentle. 2018 has been feisty, aggressive and compassionate, adding more reasons for the fans to love this beautiful game. But to every high, there’s a low and to every ray of sunshine, there’s a glimmer of darkness.
This calendar year witnessed some of the ugliest moments in a long time, both on and off the field. It seemed like some teams had prepared a sequel to their squabbled tales from the previous year. Coach vs captain fiasco in Indian cricket began with Kohli and Kumble and it transpired this year in the women’s team with Mithali Raj and Ramesh Powar taking centre stage. Following up the DRS saga from 2017, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/bpl-2019-steve-smith-granted-permission-to-take-part-in-t20-tournament/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Steve Smith,</a> David Warner and Cameron Bancroft’s ball-tampering incident left Australian cricket completely crestfallen.
Some of these infamous scandals were avoidable whilst some were inevitable. Social media’s intervention made these incidents all the more disreputable, but cricket at the end of the day somehow survived despite some serious bullets being shot towards its integrity.
<h4>Here are some five major contemptible tales from 2018 which will be buzzing around for a long time to come.</h4>
<h3>1. Sandpaper Gate</h3>
<figure id="attachment_303970" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-303970" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/12/Cameron-Bancroft-2.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-303970" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Cameron-Bancroft-2.jpg" alt="Cameron Bancroft" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-303970" class="wp-caption-text">Cameron Bancroft. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
South Africa were on course to win their first ever Test series against Australia on home soil and they seemed to be in a commanding position during the third Test. But then, two men at the helm of Australian cricket – skipper Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner, took a catastrophic decision which might’ve jolted their chances of winning the World Cup in 2019.
Rising star Cameron Bancroft was spotted using a sandpaper to change the condition of the ball and was caught on camera. Cameramen started scrutinizing intensely after some commentators observed the ball reversing obscurely very early into the innings. With no skirts to hide behind, the trio of Bancroft, Smith and Warner had to accept their mistake.
<figure id="attachment_234143" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-234143" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/03/Steve-Smith-Cameron-Bancroft.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-234143" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Steve-Smith-Cameron-Bancroft.jpg" alt="Steve Smith &amp; Cameron Bancroft News - Deep Dasgupta" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-234143" class="wp-caption-text">Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft of Australia. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Although ICC didn’t trounce them severely, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/bancroft-smith-revelations-dont-make-it-tough-for-warner-comeback-ca-chief-kevin-roberts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cricket Australia </a>had their reputation at stake and succumbed to the intense pressure coming from all parts of the globe. Darren Lehmann was sacked as the coach with Smith and Warner were penalized with a one year ban. Young Bancroft, who according to reports had committed the crime owing to pressure from seniors, was banned for nine months.
The worst victim of all was Australian cricket and their passionate fans. They saw their nation getting hammered and swallowed in the worst possible way, also conceding the highest-ever ODI team score to England (481/6). Their performances at the Test level to have downtrodden and it will be interesting to see if the discarded players can make the team instantly raise standards when they come back. 

<h3>2. The Powar-Mithali mishap</h3>
<figure id="attachment_295209" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-295209" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/11/Ramesh-Powar.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-295209" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Ramesh-Powar.jpg" alt="Ramesh Powar" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-295209" class="wp-caption-text">Harmanpreet Kaur and Ramesh Powar. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
This very well seemed like a sequel to the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ms-dhoni-and-anil-kumble-weigh-in-their-opinion-on-the-fast-bowlers-to-be-rested-in-the-ipl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anil Kumble</a> – Virat Kohli debacle, but with a different plot and different lead characters. Fans got a first sight at the disturbances happening behind the scenes in Indian women’s cricket when Mithali Raj was dropped for the all-important T20 World Cup semi-final against England a few weeks ago, a game India eventually lost.
A day after Mithali had accused team’s interim head coach Ramesh Powar of being “biased and discriminating”, Powar was quick to pounce, saying Mithali was “Aloof and difficult to handle”. Tantrums kept floating around with BCCI putting one leg each on two boats travelling in different directions.
<figure id="attachment_292867" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-292867" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/11/Mithali-Raj.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-292867" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mithali-Raj.jpg" alt="Mithali Raj" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-292867" class="wp-caption-text">Mithali Raj. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
A couple of nights later, T20I skipper <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/stats-harmanpreet-kaur-and-smriti-mandhana-strike-quick-fire-fifties-in-the-womens-bbl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Harmanpreet Kaur</a> and opener Smriti Mandhana had requested the board to not sack Powar despite all the mishap. Eventually, former Indian cricketer, WV Raman was appointed the coach with BCCI not preferring to give an extension to Powar’s contract. One thing that has been under-said during the whole Pawar Era was the improvement in their performance and a drastic surge of media and fans attention. 

<h3>3. Kohli asks a fan to leave India</h3>
<figure id="attachment_293615" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-293615" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/11/Virat-Kohli-5.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-293615" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Virat-Kohli-5.jpg" alt="Virat Kohli" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-293615" class="wp-caption-text">Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
Answering some mean tweets online, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/australia-vs-india-virat-kohli-gives-a-perfect-response-to-the-crowds-wanker-chants/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Virat Kohli</a> got a bit agitated and allowed some words to slip out of his tongue which he certainly regretted.&nbsp;“He (Virat) is an overrated batsman. Nothing seems special in his batting. I enjoy watching English and Aussie cricketers in action more than these Indians,” wrote a fan and the Indian skipper lost his cool.
Kohli replied vehemently,”I don’t think you should live in India. Go and live somewhere else. Why are you in our country and loving other countries? I don’t mind you not liking me but I don’t think you should live in our country and like other things. Get your priorities right.” The whole debate escalated from Kohli’s insensitivity to freedom of speech and many other topics.
It was out of sheer frustration that the Indian captain reacted that way but we live in a world where we are not allowed to correct mistakes, but every minor mistake gets highlighted in bold letters. Despite Kohli trying his best to explain his point, there was a lot of damage done to his reputation temporarily. If not for his mind-boggling batting renditions, the fans wouldn’t have forgotten this incident that easily. 

<h3>4. Derogatory verbal war between De Kock and Warner</h3>
<figure id="attachment_228722" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-228722" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/03/Quinton-de-Kock-David-Warner.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-228722" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Quinton-de-Kock-David-Warner.jpg" alt="Quinton de Kock &amp; David Warner" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-228722" class="wp-caption-text">Quinton de Kock &amp; David Warner. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Banters are healthy as long as they’re not personally crucifying one’s feelings and the Sandpaper Gate certainly shadowed what could’ve been the ugliest controversy of 2018. All the fans who follow David Warner closely on social media would understand how much a family man he is and he will not tolerate anything that makes his family uncomfortable.
During the first Test at Durban, which the Aussies won handsomely, there were some verbal exchanges between Warner and <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/quinton-de-kock-toys-with-rashid-khan-hits-him-for-4-6-and-6/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Quinton de Kock</a>. On their way back to the dressing room after a session, De Kock apparently had muttered something about Warner’s wife and that fumed the Aussie.
<figure id="attachment_203557" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-203557" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/12/Quinton-de-Kock-1.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-203557" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Quinton-de-Kock-1.jpg" alt="Quinton de Kock" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-203557" class="wp-caption-text">Quinton de Kock. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
“I just would have liked him to say the comment a little bit louder, instead of muttering it under his breath next to me and <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/twitter-sees-the-lighter-side-of-the-banter-between-tim-paine-and-rishabh-pant/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tim Paine</a>. Then walking up the stairs and saying ’I didn’t say anything’ as soon as the rest of his team-mates came out. We’re all men and if you’re going to say something, you look someone in the eye and say it,” said Warner.
Cricket South Africa officials released a statement saying the Aussie opener had started the banter with personal abuse during the game, to which Warner replied,&nbsp;“It is quite disappointing that they would come out and make that statement.” Warner was imposed with&nbsp;$13,500 fine, three demerit points and some damage to his reputation in the eyes of the cricketing audience. 

<h3>5. Umpiring howlers that shocked the cricketing world</h3>
<figure id="attachment_302374" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-302374" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/12/Tanvir-Ahmed.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-302374" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Tanvir-Ahmed.jpg" alt="Tanvir Ahmed" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-302374" class="wp-caption-text">Tanvir Ahmed. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
Umpiring howlers were becoming a cause of concern and to eradicate them, the Decision Review System has been in play for a long time now. But if ever the quality of umpiring can be quantified, Bangladeshi umpire <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/who-is-tanvir-ahmed-the-bangladeshi-umpire-involved-in-no-ball-controversy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tanvir Ahmed</a>‘s two horrendous decisions during the Tigers T20I series against Windies would earn a negative score.
In the second T20I between Windies and Bangladesh, Evin Lewis was deceived by a slower delivery and the ball hit his bat’s bottom edge before swirling away from the pitch. Much to the audience’s surprise, he was termed LBW, a decision which infuriated the batsman. DRS saved his day, but what followed later in the 3rd T20I was utterly disastrous.
<figure id="attachment_302461" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-302461" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/12/Carlos-Brathwaite.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-302461" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Carlos-Brathwaite.jpg" alt="Carlos Brathwaite" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-302461" class="wp-caption-text">Carlos Brathwaite. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
Oshane Thomas’s final ball of the fourth over was adjudged no-ball during Bangladesh’s run chase. When the replays suggested Thomas’ foot was well behind the line, skipper Carlos Brathwaite protested profusely and the game was halted for a good 15 minutes.
After much contemplation, the match referee Jeff Crowe came down and explained to Brathwaite that the decision cannot be overturned as per the laws and will go down under umpiring mistakes. The Windies skipper did a brilliant job to rally his troops and get over the incident and eventually, they managed to win the game convincingly.
<h4 class="p1">Get the latest&nbsp;Cricket News&nbsp;and all the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/tag/cricket-in-2018/">Cricket in 2018</a>&nbsp;articles,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-match-predictions/">Match Predictions</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/fantasy-cricket-tips/">Fantasy Cricket Tips&nbsp;</a>and lots more on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/">CricTracker.com</a>.</h4>

In the modern day cricketing definition, &#8220;Controversy&#8221; forms the C of Cricket and most certainly, the gentleman&#8217;s game isn&#8217;t getting any gentle. 2018 has been feisty, aggressive and compassionate, adding more reasons for the fans to love this beautiful game. But to every high, there&#8217;s a low and to every ray of sunshine, there&#8217;s a glimmer of darkness.
This calendar year witnessed some of the ugliest moments in a long time, both on and off the field. It seemed like some teams had prepared a sequel to their squabbled tales from the previous year. Coach vs captain fiasco in Indian cricket began with Kohli and Kumble and it transpired this year in the women&#8217;s team with Mithali Raj and Ramesh Powar taking centre stage. Following up the DRS saga from 2017, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/bpl-2019-steve-smith-granted-permission-to-take-part-in-t20-tournament/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Steve Smith,</a> David Warner and Cameron Bancroft&#8217;s ball-tampering incident left Australian cricket completely crestfallen.
Some of these infamous scandals were avoidable whilst some were inevitable. Social media&#8217;s intervention made these incidents all the more disreputable, but cricket at the end of the day somehow survived despite some serious bullets being shot towards its integrity.
<h4>Here are some five major contemptible tales from 2018 which will be buzzing around for a long time to come.</h4>
<h3>1. Sandpaper Gate</h3>
<figure id="attachment_303970" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-303970" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/12/Cameron-Bancroft-2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-303970" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Cameron-Bancroft-2.jpg" alt="Cameron Bancroft" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-303970" class="wp-caption-text">Cameron Bancroft. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
South Africa were on course to win their first ever Test series against Australia on home soil and they seemed to be in a commanding position during the third Test. But then, two men at the helm of Australian cricket &#8211; skipper Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner, took a catastrophic decision which might&#8217;ve jolted their chances of winning the World Cup in 2019.
Rising star Cameron Bancroft was spotted using a sandpaper to change the condition of the ball and was caught on camera. Cameramen started scrutinizing intensely after some commentators observed the ball reversing obscurely very early into the innings. With no skirts to hide behind, the trio of Bancroft, Smith and Warner had to accept their mistake.
<figure id="attachment_234143" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-234143" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/03/Steve-Smith-Cameron-Bancroft.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-234143" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Steve-Smith-Cameron-Bancroft.jpg" alt="Steve Smith &amp; Cameron Bancroft News - Deep Dasgupta" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-234143" class="wp-caption-text">Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft of Australia. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Although ICC didn&#8217;t trounce them severely, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/bancroft-smith-revelations-dont-make-it-tough-for-warner-comeback-ca-chief-kevin-roberts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cricket Australia </a>had their reputation at stake and succumbed to the intense pressure coming from all parts of the globe. Darren Lehmann was sacked as the coach with Smith and Warner were penalized with a one year ban. Young Bancroft, who according to reports had committed the crime owing to pressure from seniors, was banned for nine months.
The worst victim of all was Australian cricket and their passionate fans. They saw their nation getting hammered and swallowed in the worst possible way, also conceding the highest-ever ODI team score to England (481/6). Their performances at the Test level to have downtrodden and it will be interesting to see if the discarded players can make the team instantly raise standards when they come back. 

<h3>2. The Powar-Mithali mishap</h3>
<figure id="attachment_295209" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-295209" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/11/Ramesh-Powar.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-295209" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Ramesh-Powar.jpg" alt="Ramesh Powar" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-295209" class="wp-caption-text">Harmanpreet Kaur and Ramesh Powar. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
This very well seemed like a sequel to the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ms-dhoni-and-anil-kumble-weigh-in-their-opinion-on-the-fast-bowlers-to-be-rested-in-the-ipl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anil Kumble</a> &#8211; Virat Kohli debacle, but with a different plot and different lead characters. Fans got a first sight at the disturbances happening behind the scenes in Indian women&#8217;s cricket when Mithali Raj was dropped for the all-important T20 World Cup semi-final against England a few weeks ago, a game India eventually lost.
A day after Mithali had accused team&#8217;s interim head coach Ramesh Powar of being &#8220;biased and discriminating&#8221;, Powar was quick to pounce, saying Mithali was &#8220;Aloof and difficult to handle&#8221;. Tantrums kept floating around with BCCI putting one leg each on two boats travelling in different directions.
<figure id="attachment_292867" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-292867" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/11/Mithali-Raj.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-292867" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mithali-Raj.jpg" alt="Mithali Raj" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-292867" class="wp-caption-text">Mithali Raj. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
A couple of nights later, T20I skipper <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/stats-harmanpreet-kaur-and-smriti-mandhana-strike-quick-fire-fifties-in-the-womens-bbl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Harmanpreet Kaur</a> and opener Smriti Mandhana had requested the board to not sack Powar despite all the mishap. Eventually, former Indian cricketer, WV Raman was appointed the coach with BCCI not preferring to give an extension to Powar&#8217;s contract. One thing that has been under-said during the whole Pawar Era was the improvement in their performance and a drastic surge of media and fans attention. 

<h3>3. Kohli asks a fan to leave India</h3>
<figure id="attachment_293615" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-293615" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/11/Virat-Kohli-5.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-293615" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Virat-Kohli-5.jpg" alt="Virat Kohli" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-293615" class="wp-caption-text">Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
Answering some mean tweets online, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/australia-vs-india-virat-kohli-gives-a-perfect-response-to-the-crowds-wanker-chants/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Virat Kohli</a> got a bit agitated and allowed some words to slip out of his tongue which he certainly regretted. &#8220;He (Virat) is an overrated batsman. Nothing seems special in his batting. I enjoy watching English and Aussie cricketers in action more than these Indians,&#8221; wrote a fan and the Indian skipper lost his cool.
Kohli replied vehemently,&#8221;I don&#8217;t think you should live in India. Go and live somewhere else. Why are you in our country and loving other countries? I don&#8217;t mind you not liking me but I don&#8217;t think you should live in our country and like other things. Get your priorities right.&#8221; The whole debate escalated from Kohli&#8217;s insensitivity to freedom of speech and many other topics.
It was out of sheer frustration that the Indian captain reacted that way but we live in a world where we are not allowed to correct mistakes, but every minor mistake gets highlighted in bold letters. Despite Kohli trying his best to explain his point, there was a lot of damage done to his reputation temporarily. If not for his mind-boggling batting renditions, the fans wouldn&#8217;t have forgotten this incident that easily. 

<h3>4. Derogatory verbal war between De Kock and Warner</h3>
<figure id="attachment_228722" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-228722" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/03/Quinton-de-Kock-David-Warner.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-228722" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Quinton-de-Kock-David-Warner.jpg" alt="Quinton de Kock &amp; David Warner" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-228722" class="wp-caption-text">Quinton de Kock &amp; David Warner. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Banters are healthy as long as they&#8217;re not personally crucifying one&#8217;s feelings and the Sandpaper Gate certainly shadowed what could&#8217;ve been the ugliest controversy of 2018. All the fans who follow David Warner closely on social media would understand how much a family man he is and he will not tolerate anything that makes his family uncomfortable.
During the first Test at Durban, which the Aussies won handsomely, there were some verbal exchanges between Warner and <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/quinton-de-kock-toys-with-rashid-khan-hits-him-for-4-6-and-6/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Quinton de Kock</a>. On their way back to the dressing room after a session, De Kock apparently had muttered something about Warner&#8217;s wife and that fumed the Aussie.
<figure id="attachment_203557" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-203557" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/12/Quinton-de-Kock-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-203557" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Quinton-de-Kock-1.jpg" alt="Quinton de Kock" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-203557" class="wp-caption-text">Quinton de Kock. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
“I just would have liked him to say the comment a little bit louder, instead of muttering it under his breath next to me and <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/twitter-sees-the-lighter-side-of-the-banter-between-tim-paine-and-rishabh-pant/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tim Paine</a>. Then walking up the stairs and saying ’I didn’t say anything’ as soon as the rest of his team-mates came out. We’re all men and if you’re going to say something, you look someone in the eye and say it,” said Warner.
Cricket South Africa officials released a statement saying the Aussie opener had started the banter with personal abuse during the game, to which Warner replied, “It is quite disappointing that they would come out and make that statement.&#8221; Warner was imposed with $13,500 fine, three demerit points and some damage to his reputation in the eyes of the cricketing audience. 

<h3>5. Umpiring howlers that shocked the cricketing world</h3>
<figure id="attachment_302374" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-302374" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/12/Tanvir-Ahmed.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-302374" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Tanvir-Ahmed.jpg" alt="Tanvir Ahmed" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-302374" class="wp-caption-text">Tanvir Ahmed. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
Umpiring howlers were becoming a cause of concern and to eradicate them, the Decision Review System has been in play for a long time now. But if ever the quality of umpiring can be quantified, Bangladeshi umpire <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/who-is-tanvir-ahmed-the-bangladeshi-umpire-involved-in-no-ball-controversy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tanvir Ahmed</a>&#8216;s two horrendous decisions during the Tigers T20I series against Windies would earn a negative score.
In the second T20I between Windies and Bangladesh, Evin Lewis was deceived by a slower delivery and the ball hit his bat&#8217;s bottom edge before swirling away from the pitch. Much to the audience&#8217;s surprise, he was termed LBW, a decision which infuriated the batsman. DRS saved his day, but what followed later in the 3rd T20I was utterly disastrous.
<figure id="attachment_302461" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-302461" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2018/12/Carlos-Brathwaite.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-302461" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Carlos-Brathwaite.jpg" alt="Carlos Brathwaite" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-302461" class="wp-caption-text">Carlos Brathwaite. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
Oshane Thomas&#8217;s final ball of the fourth over was adjudged no-ball during Bangladesh&#8217;s run chase. When the replays suggested Thomas&#8217; foot was well behind the line, skipper Carlos Brathwaite protested profusely and the game was halted for a good 15 minutes.
After much contemplation, the match referee Jeff Crowe came down and explained to Brathwaite that the decision cannot be overturned as per the laws and will go down under umpiring mistakes. The Windies skipper did a brilliant job to rally his troops and get over the incident and eventually, they managed to win the game convincingly.
<h4 class="p1">Get the latest Cricket News and all the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/tag/cricket-in-2018/">Cricket in 2018</a> articles, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-match-predictions/">Match Predictions</a>, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/fantasy-cricket-tips/">Fantasy Cricket Tips </a>and lots more on <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/">CricTracker.com</a>.</h4>

This calendar year witnessed some of the ugliest moments in a long time, both on and off the field.

Cricket in 2018: 5 Biggest controversies of the year

Cricket in 2018: The biggest Controversy in cricket - Sandpaper gate, Steve Smith, David Warner, Indian coach controversy, on-field fights between de Kock and Warner