Cricket World Cup 2019 Controversies: While the Cricket World Cup 2019 final was a spectacle and something that lived up to its billing, there was a lot of controversy around the way the result was derived. The World witnessed some magnificent games and action in this World Cup, however, it was the first World Cup which faced numerous controversies surrounding weather, umpiring and other issues.
Here are the top 10 controversies of World Cup 2019:
#1 Umpiring in World Cup Final
The umpiring level was questioned in the league matches, but it made a huge difference in the final. During New Zealand’s innings, Ross Taylor was given out LBW. New Zealand couldn’t review as they had exhausted their quota, however, replays suggested that the ball was missing the stumps.
There was an even bigger incident, especially in the context of the game, when in the final over, the throw from Guptill hit a diving Stokes, who was returning for the second, and went to the boundary. The umpires awarded England 6 runs in total. As per the rule, if the runners haven’t crossed at the time of the throw, then only the run completed plus the overthrows are awarded, which in this case should have been 5. The extra run given to England might have had a huge bearing on the game the way it panned out. The match ended in a tie and England clinched the title in the super over on account of more boundaries scored.
#2 The unpredictable weather
Cricket World Cup Controversies: We have seen the unpredictability of Pakistan in World Cups, but this World Cup witnessed unpredictability, and in higher proportion, from another component, which some people referred to as the 11th team.
The schedule of the World Cup was criticised where in the first two weeks, 4 games were washed out. It was a record of washed-out games in a single edition of the World Cup. This impacted the table standings as well. ICC was criticised on social media and fans demanded addition of reserve days in group stage games too, however, ICC responded in decline, claiming they cannot arrange reserve days due to broadcasters and the extension of an already long tournament.
Due to rain, the result of the first semi-final was decided on a reserved day. Few games like India-Pakistan and Sri Lanka-Afghanistan were decided on D/L method.
#3 Zinger bails
World Cup 2019 Controversies: Bails controversy was another big one that made the headline in this World Cup. The bails, on multiple occasions, did not come off despite the stumps being hit hard. It wasn’t that it was just a one-off incident. David Warner, Chris Gayle and De Cock got the benefit of the heavy bails and they lived to survive.
Cricket experts made arguments on Social Media and asked ICC to give the batsman out in case of the bail light up, which it does when uprooted.
Zinger bails have been handy in case of run-outs decisions, but with such incidents prevailing, ICC would need to rethink.
#4 MS Dhoni’s gloves
The first biggest controversy of the World Cup 2019 was seen in India’s first World Cup game. MS Dhoni was seen wearing a pair of gloves with the Army regiment sign on them. It created waves on social media and Indian fans admired Dhoni for such a gesture, however, ICC’s Governing Body asked Dhoni to remove the logo from the gloves as it was against ICC’s policy. As per ICC’s rule, the player is not allowed to sport any commercial, religious or military logo on his kit. Though BCCI backed Dhoni, ICC made their decision clear and loud.
#5 Planes flying over the stadium
Cricket World Cup Controversies: We saw planes flying over the stadium with a message. In Leeds, an unauthorised plane flew with the message ‘Justice for Balochistan’ during the Afghanistan-Pakistan game. It continued in next matches too with some other messages. During the India-Sri Lanka game, a plane flew over the stadium with the message related to Kashmir. ICC later took the decision and declared the air area of the stadiums as a no-fly zone.
#6 Mohammad Shahzad Controversy 
World Cup 2019 Controversies: Afghanistan Cricket Board came under the radar after they changed the captain of the ship against popular opinion of the player. The whole drama started before the World Cup when the board made Gulbadin Naib, the new skipper and former captain Asgar Afghan was made to step down. However, a big controversy surfaced when Mohammad Shahzad was declared unfit and replacement for him was called. Afghanistan’s wicket keeper batsman, Shahzad, was ruled out from the World Cup owing to a knee injury. After this, Shahzad released a message where he broke down into tears and expressed his disappointment over his exclusion. He also told that his knee was absolutely fine.
#7 Rohit Sharma and Gayle’s dismissal
Umpiring was also a big concern for ICC in this World Cup. First Chris Gayle, who was givenout on a no-ball, which umpire failed to notice, and then Rohit Sharma, who was given out in ambiguous circumstances.
Rohit Sharma was also unhappy and he tweeted on his dismissal against the West Indies. He was given caught behind and despite availing the DRS, he was given out by the third umpire. The ball had hit the pad and not the bat
#8 Pakistani players in Hookah bar
Pakistani team faced a big controversy after their defeat against India in Manchester. Pakistani players were spotted in a Hookah bar at midnight before the game against India. Picture of Pakistani players – Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Imam Ul Haq, and Wahab Riaz enjoying Shisha in a parlour at Manchester came out. Sania Mirza was also present there. Pakistani fans criticised and trolled their team.
#9 India-Pakistan ad fiasco
World Cup 2019 Controversies: India-Pakistan World Cup game was a major highlight of the tournament. The game is also famous for the “Mauka Mauka” ad by Star Sports to mock Pakistan on their record in World Cup against India. Star Sports made a new ad depicting India as the father of Pakistan. They also mentioned about the perfect timing of the game with it happening on Father’s Day. Pakistani fans got offended and questioned Star Sports. A lot of Indian fans were against the idea too. Pakistan then retaliated and came up with the new ad where they mocked Indian IAF pilot Abhinandan, which then offended the Indian fans and the rift widened. Poonam Patel also replied to Pakistan in her typical fashion.
#10 Team India’s Orange jersey
Team India is often referred to as the ‘Men in Blue’ but for the first time, they choose Orange colour to follow the rule of ICC. As per ICC rule, the away team and home team cannot wear same coloured jerseys and that the away team has to find an alternative colour option.
BCCI decided to go orange and this whole matter became an issue when politicians accused BJP of choosing this colour for Team India, something the RSS carries. BCCI cleared that they have used this colour as per the designer of the jersey and that there is no political agenda attached to it.
