Cricket World Cups have had some of the most bizarre and unexpected controversies that were tamed by the fans in the cricketing world. From setting fires in the stadium to the most controversial decisions, let us look at the top controversies over the years in the ODI World Cups that have taken place till now.
- Rain Rule Which Ended South Africa’s Run in the 1992 Cricket World Cup
After reinforcing into Cricket in the year 1991 after facing a ban, South Africa put on some magical performances and was on course to reach the finals of the 1992 Cricket World Cup. In the semi-final match, the Proteas faced England. England scored 245 runs in the 1st innings. Chasing down the target the equation came down to 22 runs off 13 balls. South Africa had the match in their hands before the rain gods interrupted the match.
Once the players re-entered the field after the rain delay, the equation was reduced to 22 runs in 7 balls which later was further reduced to 22 runs in one ball. The bizarre rain rule caused South Africa to the ODI World Cup.
South African players walked out of the ground furiously as the rain rule which to no one’s understanding was not the fairest rule in the game of cricket.
- The Decision that cost New Zealand the World Cup
It was back in 2019 at the iconic Lords Stadium the final of the ODI world cup between New Zealand and England that sparked a new controversy and received hate from cricketing fans. Chasing a target of 242 runs, the match boiled out to 6 runs of 3 balls.
Ben Stokes on strike hits a ball towards the wide long-off region and when the throw came in towards the keeper’s end the ball deflected off the bat of Ben Stokes and runs down to the boundary. The on-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena gives the decision in favor of England signaling it as four overthrows despite Ben Stokes pleading with the umpire to overturn his decision.
The match ended in a tie and the super over the scores were once again tied England won the World Cup on a boundary count which is the strangest win ever in a World Cup final. ICC changed the rules after the final.
- MS Dhoni makes it a double Call
During the 2011 ODI World Cup Final Indian skipper MS Dhoni failed to hear a toss call of heads from Kumar Sangakkara and as a result, the match officials re-called the toss which is the first incident where the toss took place on more than one occasion.
The incident later led to controversy as ICC intervened in the incident and an explanation was asked for the match officials’ decision.
