Cricket has witnessed the 10 ugliest on-field fights, from heated verbal spats to physical altercations, involving players and even fans. These confrontations included insults, aggressive gestures, and on-field brawls, resulting in fines, suspensions, and lasting tensions. Such incidents highlight the intense rivalries and emotions that can flare up during matches.
10. Inzamam-ul-Haq vs Fan
In 1997, during an India-Pakistan ODI in Toronto, Inzamam-ul-Haq lost his temper after an Indian fan mocked his weight, repeatedly calling him “aloo.” Inzamam charged at the fan with a bat but was stopped by security. This infamous incident could have severely damaged his career had it escalated further.
9. Shakib Al Hasan vs The Umpire
In a domestic match between Mohammedan Sporting Club and Abahani Limited, Shakib Al Hasan had heated altercations with the umpire after several appeals were dismissed. Frustration boiled over when Shakib charged toward the umpire, gesturing angrily, and kicked the stumps. This incident highlighted his fiery temper on the field.
8. Bermuda Cricket Team’s fight
One of cricket’s ugliest incidents occurred during the Champion of Champions final in Bermuda. Cleveland County’s Jason Anderson, while wicketkeeping, assaulted batsman George O’Brien of Willow Cuts Cricket Club. The altercation escalated into a brawl, with Anderson kicking O’Brien and players wrestling on the ground. Anderson received a lifetime ban for inciting the chaos.
7. Gautam Gambhir And Shahid Afridi
In 2007, during an India-Pakistan ODI in Kanpur, Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afridi clashed in a fiery exchange. Afridi deliberately obstructed Gambhir while running, leading to a heated verbal altercation filled with abuses. The confrontation escalated until players and umpires intervened to defuse the tension.
6. Virat Kohli vs Gautam Gambhir
During an IPL 2013 clash between RCB and KKR, Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli had a fiery exchange. After Kohli’s dismissal, Gambhir celebrated animatedly, which upset Kohli. The two approached each other, exchanging heated words before Rajat Bhatia intervened to separate them, averting further escalation.
5. Ishant Sharma and Kamran Akmal
In a fiery encounter during the first T20I in Bangalore, Ishant Sharma and Kamran Akmal clashed after a no-ball dismissal was overturned. Tensions escalated when Ishant beat Akmal on the following delivery, leading to an angry exchange of words. Both players were fined for their on-field altercation.
4. Kieron Pollard and Mitchell Starc
In IPL 2014, Kieron Pollard and Mitchell Starc had a heated altercation during an RCB vs. Mumbai Indians match. After exchanging words, Pollard dismissed Starc with a wave. On the next ball, Pollard withdrew mid-delivery, but Starc bowled near him anyway, prompting Pollard to fling his bat toward Starc. The incident escalated into a heated argument involving umpires and RCB captain Virat Kohli.
3. Harbhajan Singh vs Sreesanth
In an IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab, an ugly altercation unfolded between Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth. After Kings XI’s win, Sreesanth reportedly mocked Harbhajan with a “Well played” comment, infuriating the latter. Harbhajan slapped Sreesanth, leaving him in tears on TV. Harbhajan was banned for the rest of the season, and both players refused to comment on the incident.
2. Shane Warne vs Marlon Samuels
One of the most intense on-field confrontations occurred during a BBL game between Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades. Marlon Samuels mocked David Hussey’s attempt for a second run, angering Shane Warne. In retaliation, Warne launched verbal abuse at Samuels and deliberately threw the ball at him. The altercation escalated when Samuels, frustrated, tossed his bat into the air.
Things took a dangerous turn in the next over when Lasith Malinga bowled a bouncer that hit Samuels in the face, forcing him to retire hurt with blood dripping from his mouth. Umpires intervened to calm the tension, but the incident left a lasting mark on the match.
1. Andrew Symonds v Harbhajan Singh, 2008
In the 2008 Sydney Test, a fiery altercation between Australia’s Andrew Symonds and India’s Harbhajan Singh became a major controversy. Symonds accused Harbhajan of racially abusing him, claiming he was called a “monkey.” Harbhajan was handed a three-match ban, but India threatened to pull out of the tour if the suspension wasn’t lifted. After hearing arguments from both sides, the judicial hearing dismissed the charges against Harbhajan, citing lack of evidence, and the ban was overturned.