Ashwin's WTC final omission to Gambhir-Kohli fight: Biggest controversies from cricket in 2023

As the sun sets on another year of riveting cricketing action, 2023 stands out not just for the outstanding displays of skill and sportsmanship but also for the controversies that have kept fans on the edge of their seats. From the surprising exclusion of Ravichandran Ashwin in the WTC final to a heated exchange between Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli in the IPL, the cricketing world has been a theater of unexpected twists and turns. Let's take a closer look at some of the most significant controversies that have defined the cricketing narrative in 2023.

Ashwin's WTC Final Omission

The World Test Championship final is one of cricket's grandest stages, and the omission of seasoned spinner Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing XI sent shockwaves through the cricketing fraternity. As India aimed for glory against a formidable Australia, the decision to leave out a player of Ashwin's caliber sparked debates on team selection strategies. 

Gambhir-Kohli Fight

In an unexpected turn of events, a verbal spat between former cricketer Gautam Gambhir and RCB star Virat Kohli grabbed headlines. The confrontation during an IPL 2023 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants left fans and analysts speculating about the underlying tensions between the two. 

Warner and Johnson's war of words

Mitchell Johnson and David Warner were involved in an intense war of words ahead of the Test series between Australia and Pakistan. Johnson, a former fast bowler, slammed Warner's plan to retire at Sydney at the end of the Test series, saying that he doesn't deserve it because of his involvement in the 2018 ball-tampering incident. Warner responded with a classy century in the first game. 

Rohit Sharma sacked as Mumbai Indians captain

This is the most recent incident to captivate the world of cricket. After Mumbai Indians successfully acquired Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2024 auction, they sacked Rohit Sharma as the captain. Mumbai Indians appointed Hardik as the new skipper of the side, creating a massive controversy on social media.