Cricketers who went to jail for different reasons

Cricket is considered to be a true gentleman’s game. It is expected that the cricketers play the game in the right spirit and follow all the rules of the game. However, few of the cricketers failed to conduct themselves properly and brought disgrace to the game with their on-field or off-field antics.

Many cricketers were arrested in the past for their inappropriate behavior. Furthermore, this list also includes some of the greats of the game. Let us have a look at the cricketers who were imprisoned in the past for various reasons. These reasons could also include match-fixing scandals, assaults, breaking the rules of the game and others.

5. Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir, and Mohammad Asif

The spot-fixing scandal in 2010 shook the entire cricketing world. Three members of the Pakistan cricket team were convicted of taking bribes from a bookie, Mazhar Majeed to deliberately underperform in the Test match against England at Lords. Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif who were established in Pakistan set up and newcomer Mohammad Amir was involved in the incident.

Although all of these cricketers pleaded to be innocent, there were strong pieces of evidence against them. All these four cricketers were given prison sentences. While Butt was sentenced for 30 months, Asif was sentenced for 12 months. Furthermore, Amir was sentenced for 6 months and the bookie Majeed was sentenced to 32 months.

4. Amit Mishra

Amit Mishra is one of the better leg-spinners to have played for India and has got tons of experience behind him. The 35-year-old picked 76 wickets for India in 22 Tests and 64 wickets in 36 ODIs for the country. Further, the leggie has over 100 IPL wickets and over 500 first-class wickets.

In 2015, Mishra was arrested when a woman friend of his filed a case of physical assault on him. He was alleged to have thrown a bottle on her. Mishy was interrogated by the police in Ashok Nagar Police station. But, he was granted a bail just a few hours after he was arrested.

3. Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila, and Ankit Chawan

Sreesanth was one of the most promising swing bowlers in India and was also a part of the World Cup-winning squad in 2011. However, his career took a twist when he was arrested along with two of his Rajasthan Royals teammates Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan. The Delhi Police arrested them on the charges of spot-fixing in the Indian Premier League.

The arrest took place immediately after the players returned to their team hotel, following their match against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede stadium. The cricketers and bookies have been charged under sections 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code. Furthermore, they were life bans imposed on them by the BCCI.

2. Makhaya Ntini

Former South African pacer Makhaya Ntini was also once arrested after allegations of a sexual assault. It was alleged that he was involved in the rape of a 21-year old student at the Buffalo Park Cricket Ground in December 1998. His career was under threat following this incident and there was a possibility of imposing a six-year ban on him.

He was also pulled out of the World Cup 1999 squad. However, Ntini filed a successful appeal against his conviction in November 1999 and escaped the jail term. Ntini played 101 Test matches for South Africa and also picked 309 wickets in as many games. He was known for his ability to bowl quick.

1. Ben Stokes

This incident is the most recent one and is also quite famous. Ben Stokes was involved in a physical assault with a man outside a pub in Bristol. He left that man severely bruised and was charged for the incident. This took place just a few days before the squad for the Ashes 2017-18 was selected. He wasn’t named in the squad and was suspended by ECB until there was any further notice.

He was at the peak of his career back then and was also England’s vice-captain in Tests. Stokes was very consistent back then, scoring runs all around the world. His absence in the Ashes clearly affected England. Stokes had to undergo the legal procedures before he was let free. Although he made a comeback into the international team after the incident, he is still to reach his best and is working hard with his form.