Cricket has become more than what the bat and the ball displayed before us in the broader perspective whether over the television or one have had witnessed the cricket match inside the stadium.
It has a lot on the plate following the amendment in rules and regulations from time to time.
As the synonym for cricket is attuned to the gentleman’s game, but there were some occasions when even professionals posed questions by their unimpressive acts in the name of fair play after witnessing the sissy acts from players as well.
Though within the laws, Sri Lanka batted for three-days in a drawn Test match way back in August 1997.
After India declared at 537 for eight in 167.3 overs, Sri Lanka faced 271 overs before announcing the declaration on 952.
Lanka declared the innings under the leadership of Arjuna Ranatunga.
With every distinct team have had planned to tackle the opposition, but the unsporting events have had marred the game in the first instance which should be redressed solely for the contemporary cricket.
Here are the five occasions when Lankans could have fared well while consideration the spirit of the play:
Suraj Randiv’s No-ball to Virender Sehwag:
In August 2010, Sri Lankan spinner Suraj Randiv bowled a deliberate no-ball in fact, a foot ahead when Virender Sehwag was batting on 99*.
The incident took place in the third One-day International in Dambulla when India required a run to clinch the match.
The then skipper Kumar Sangakkara, however, admitted that explosive opener Sehwag deserved to cross the triple figure-mark, Sehwag rued the chance by terming it was ‘deliberate’ from the bowler.
Interestingly, in 34th over, India required five runs to win when Lanka conceded four byes when Sangakkara failed to gather the ball.
Interestingly, the right-handed Sehwag walloped the illegitimate delivery over long-on region for a six, before on-field umpired declared a no-ball.
Sri Lanka out with masks at Feroz Shah Kotla:
The pollution has been the hot topic in capital Delhi in the recent past, but it was bizarre on the part of Lankans as professionals to wear the mask during the international game.
Soon after the lunch, Sri Lankan players were seen wearing the masks which further started trending over the social media websites for the approach of the visitors.
Niroshan Dickwella’s Wasted Time in Kolkata:
Following the see-saw battle owing to the inclement weather in Kolkata where Sri Lanka played their opener of the three-match series between November 16 and 20 respectively, the visitors dominated India early on, but that did not last long.
After the visitors dismissed India on 172 in 59.3 overs, the hosts’ bowlers returned to bundle out the Lions on 294 in 83.4 overs owing to the deficit of 122 runs.
However, Indian batters returned strongly while riding on skipper Virat Kohli’s unbeaten hundred which saw the hosts declaring their innings in 88.4 overs.
The drama unfolded in the final session of the day-five play after Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami ripped apart the batting line-up of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan wicket-keeper batsman received the thorough criticism by wasting the time which further saw him having a heated argument with Shami.
The time-delaying tactics were completely intentional which was further admitted by Dickwella.
However, Dickwella in his statement revealed it was Virat Kohli, who stated ‘umpires are supposed to do their job’ which further saw the former enjoying the antics which enraged the fast bowler Shami.
However, first Test match was concluded owing to the bad light when Sri Lanka was 75 for seven in 26.3 overs.
Sourav Ganguly Stranded at 98*:
In 2001, the former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly was left stranded on 98 off 152 balls when Chaminda Vaas bowled a full-toss to Mohammed Kaif.
Interestingly, the right-handed batsman Kaif was extended his support for Ganguly, before the former found the edge of the bat and the ball subsequently crossed the boundary line.
In the 345-minute innings, the 79th over of Indian innings saw Kaif defending first three balls, before edge forced out Kaif – to seal the Test match in Kandy by seven wickets.
The incident took place in the second Test at Kandy in August 2001, when Sanath Jayasuriya led sri Lanka.
In that fixture, India was chasing down the target of 264 and Ganguly smashed 15 boundaries in his knock, as Kaif faced 43 off 19 balls.
Toss controversy World Cup Final:
The World Cup final was soured by controversy when coin was tossed twice after Jeff Crowe claimed that he was not able to hear what the then skipper of Sri Lanka Kumar Sangakkara had said,
However, to the utter surprise of the viewers, Sangakkara called for the head reportedly which further saw Mahendra Singh Dhoni asking Ravi Shastri, who is now head coach of India that they are opting to bat first.
The confusion further saw Sangakkara calling heads to bat first. The final was sealed by Dhoni with a trademark shot for a six.