Cricket, often celebrated as the gentleman’s game, has seen its fair share of controversies over the years. In an attempt to earn money by unfair means, some cricketers have not been fair to the sport and its fans.
Among these are betting and match-fixing scandals that have tarnished the reputation of some of the sport’s biggest names nationwide.
Here’s a detailed look at 10 cricketers who faced bans due to their involvement in such activities.
Top Cricketers Banned For Betting
Take a look at this table, where you’ll find the names of the players who have shamed their countries in the past.
| Player Name | Country | Ban Duration | Reason | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Azharuddin | India | Life (Overturned in 2012) | Match-fixing | Politician |
| Hansie Cronje | South Africa | Life | Match-fixing | Deceased (2002) |
| Mohammad Amir | Pakistan | 5 Years | Spot-fixing | Returned to cricket |
| S Sreesanth | India | Life (Reduced in 2019) | Spot-fixing (IPL) | Retired |
| Ajay Jadeja | India | 5 Years | Match-fixing | Commentator, Actor |
| Marlon Samuels | West Indies | 2 Years | Sharing info with bookies | Retired |
| Saleem Malik | Pakistan | Life (Overturned in 2008) | Bribery of Australian players | Retired |
| Lou Vincent | New Zealand | Life | Match-fixing in T20 leagues | Retired |
| Mohammad Asif | Pakistan | 7 Years | Spot-fixing | Retired |
| Danish Kaneria | Pakistan | Life | Spot-fixing (County Cricket) | Seeking case review |
Below, you’ll find details about each player. You’ll know exactly why they faced the ban and what happened after that.
1. Mohammad Azharuddin (Life Ban – Overturned in 2012)
Mohammad Azharuddin, one of India’s most successful captains, was known for his stylish batting and remarkable leadership. However, his career took a shocking turn in 2000 when allegations of match-fixing surfaced.
Azharuddin was accused of introducing South African captain Hansie Cronje to bookies. His name also came up during an undercover sting operation conducted by former Indian cricketer Manoj Prabhakar.
In 2012, a court overturned the ban due to insufficient evidence. Despite the controversy, Azharuddin remains a notable figure in Indian cricket and is now a respected politician.
2. Hansie Cronje (Life Ban)
Hansie Cronje, the charismatic captain of South Africa, was admired for his tactical brilliance and leadership. However, in 2000, he stunned the cricketing world by confessing to match-fixing.
Cronje admitted to accepting money from bookies to influence matches. His revelations shocked fans and tarnished the reputation of South African cricket. The South African Cricket Board banned him for life, ending his career in disgrace. Tragically, Cronje died in a plane crash in 2002, leaving behind a complex legacy of success and scandal.
3. Mohammad Amir (5-Year Ban)
Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Amir was hailed as a prodigy, capable of delivering match-winning spells at a young age. However, his career was derailed in 2010 during a Test match against England at Lord’s.
Amir was found guilty of deliberately bowling no-balls as part of a spot-fixing scheme orchestrated by a bookmaker. Alongside teammates Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif, Amir was banned from cricket for five years.
After serving his ban, Amir made a successful comeback, playing a key role in Pakistan’s victory in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India.
4. S Sreesanth (Life Ban – Overturned in 2019)
Indian pacer S Sreesanth’s fiery attitude and ability to swing the ball made him a fan favorite. However, his career took a nosedive in 2013 when he was accused of spot-fixing during the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Representing Rajasthan Royals, Sreesanth was alleged to have agreed to bowl predetermined no-balls. The BCCI handed him a life ban, but Sreesanth maintained his innocence. In 2019, his ban was reduced, allowing him to return to cricket.
5. Ajay Jadeja (5-Year Ban)
Ajay Jadeja, known for his aggressive batting and on-field charisma, was a key player for India in the 1990s. His career, however, came to an abrupt halt in 2000 when he was implicated in a match-fixing scandal.
Jadeja was banned for five years, a punishment that effectively ended his international cricket career. Despite this setback, he later made a name for himself as a cricket commentator and Bollywood actor.
6. Marlon Samuels (2-Year Ban)
West Indies all-rounder Marlon Samuels was banned in 2008 after being found guilty of sharing team information with a bookmaker during a series against India. The allegations included receiving monetary benefits for passing on sensitive details.
Despite the ban, Samuels returned to international cricket and played crucial roles in West Indies’ T20 World Cup victories in 2012 and 2016. His ability to overcome adversity remains an inspiration for many.
7. Saleem Malik (Life Ban – Overturned in 2008)
Saleem Malik was a talented middle-order batsman for Pakistan, known for his consistency and ability to perform under pressure. In 2000, he was banned for life after being accused of attempting to bribe Australian players to underperform.
In 2008, Malik’s ban was lifted, but his reputation was forever tainted. He remains a controversial figure in the history of Pakistani cricket.
8. Lou Vincent (Life Ban)
Lou Vincent, a former New Zealand batsman, admitted to match-fixing in several domestic T20 leagues, including games in the Indian Cricket League (ICL). Vincent confessed to accepting money to underperform and manipulate match outcomes.
The ICC imposed a life ban on Vincent in 2014. His public admission of guilt was seen as an attempt to bring awareness to the growing problem of corruption in cricket.
9. Mohammad Asif (7-Year Ban)
Mohammad Asif, a talented Pakistani fast bowler, was also involved in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal alongside Mohammad Amir. Asif was accused of deliberately bowling no-balls during a Test match at Lord’s in exchange for money.
The ICC handed Asif a seven-year ban, effectively ending his international career. Despite his immense talent, his involvement in the scandal overshadowed his achievements on the field.
10. Danish Kaneria (Life Ban)
Danish Kaneria, a leg-spinner from Pakistan, was banned for life in 2012 after being found guilty of spot-fixing in English county cricket. He was accused of persuading teammate Mervyn Westfield to underperform in exchange for money.
Kaneria has consistently denied the allegations, but the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) upheld the ban. His case remains a topic of debate, as Kaneria has sought to clear his name in recent years.
Also Read:
Conclusion: Betting Has Ruined Top Cricket Careers
These players serve as cautionary tales of how greed and bad decisions can overshadow talent and hard work. While some managed to rebuild their lives and careers, others were unable to recover from the damage caused by their actions.
As cricket strives to maintain its integrity, these stories remind us of the importance of fair play in preserving the spirit of the game.
FAQs
Spot-fixing involves manipulating specific moments or events in a game (like bowling a no-ball or a specific run rate) to benefit betting outcomes, while match-fixing involves predetermined results of an entire match.
It depends on the ban’s nature. Players with temporary bans, like Mohammad Amir, can return after the ban period ends, but lifetime bans typically prevent any cricket-related activities.
Betting scandals are often uncovered through sting operations, anti-corruption measures by cricket boards, tip-offs, or investigations by law enforcement and anti-corruption units like the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).
Cricket boards and the ICC conduct regular workshops and training sessions to educate players about the risks and repercussions of betting and fixing.
Being involved in betting or fixing severely tarnishes a player’s legacy, often overshadowing their achievements. Fans and cricketing communities may lose trust and respect for the player.
Cricket betting is legal in some countries like the UK, Australia, and India (in some states). However, players are strictly prohibited from participating in betting activities regardless of the country’s laws.
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