From Asia Cup handshake, trophy row to RCB stampede:Top 10 cricket controversies that highlighted 2025; when sport made headlines for wrong reasons

By the end of 2025, cricket fans were left reflecting on a year that offered both sporting brilliance and uncomfortable moments. While thrilling victories and memorable performances lit up the field, controversies often stole the headlines, forcing the game to confront issues beyond runs and wickets. From diplomatic standoffs and tragic incidents to technological failures and fiery on-field exchanges, 2025 proved that cricket remains deeply intertwined with politics, emotions, and public accountability. As the sport prepares to enter 2026, here is a look at the 10 most talked-about controversies that shaped cricket this year. Top 10 controversies in cricket in 2025 1. India-Pakistan handshake saga at Asia Cup 2025 The Asia Cup 2025 witnessed an unprecedented diplomatic stand-off when India refused to shake hands with Pakistan during all three matches in Dubai. The move came after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, India maintained a strict no-handshake policy across senior, women’s, and U-19 teams. The PCB protested, calling it ‘unsporting,’ while the ICC later warned both sides against political gestures on the field. 2. ‘Trophy Chor’ Mohsin Naqvi – The Asia Cup Trophy Row After India’s Asia Cup final win, the team declined to accept the trophy from ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi due to his alleged anti-India stance. Naqvi walked away with the trophy, triggering outrage online. Fans mocked the moment with imaginary trophy celebrations, while the hashtag #TrophyChor went viral. Reports later claimed the trophy was moved from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, prompting the BCCI to escalate the matter at ICC and ACC levels. 3. RCB stampede tragedy at Chinnaswamy Stadium Celebrations turned tragic on June 4, when a stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB’s IPL title celebrations claimed 11 lives and injured 56 others. Over 2 lakh fans gathered at a venue built for 35,000. Poor crowd control and communication were cited as the reasons. The Karnataka government announced ₹10 lakh compensation per victim, suspended police officials, and arrested event organisers. 4. Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan’s Controversial Celebrations Pakistan players Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan sparked outrage with controversial celebrations during an Asia Cup Super 4 clash against India. Farhan’s gunshot gesture and Rauf’s jet-crash and ‘6-0’ sign were seen as offensive. The ICC fined Rauf 30% of his match fee and handed him a two-match ban, while Farhan was also sanctioned. 5. ICC Champions Trophy: Hybrid model controversy India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan forced the ICC to adopt a hybrid model, with India playing all matches in Dubai. Critics argued it gave India an unfair advantage. The tournament was further marred by organisational lapses such as wrong national anthems, missing flags, and broadcast errors, which the PCB blamed on technical glitches. 6. South Africa coach’s ‘grovel’ remark South Africa coach Shukri Conrad drew criticism after saying his team wanted to make India ‘Grovel’ The comment, made after day four when South Africa set India a massive 549-run target, drew widespread criticism. during the Guwahati Test. The phrase evoked historical sensitivities linked to colonial-era cricket. Conrad’s use of the same phrase stirred reactions from former cricketers, including Sunil Gavaskar, Anil Kumble, and Dale Steyn. Conrad later clarified: “On reflection, it was never my intention to cause any malice. I could have chosen a better word because it left it open to too many interpretations”. However, the damage was done, taking away the spotlight from South Africa’s historic Test series win in India. 7. Manchester Test handshake controversy Tensions flared when England offered a handshake to settle the Manchester Test draw, but India refused as Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar were nearing centuries. English players expressed displeasure, while Gautam Gambhir defended India’s stance. The debate reignited questions about sportsmanship versus individual milestones. 8. Afghanistan withdraws from tri-series over Pakistan airstrikes Afghanistan pulled out of a tri-series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka after Pakistani airstrikes reportedly killed three Afghan cricketers. ACB condemned the incident, and captain Rashid Khan stated that “national dignity must come before all else.” Zimbabwe replaced Afghanistan in the series. 9. DRS technology failures in Barbados Test The West Indies–Australia Test in Barbados was overshadowed by disputed DRS calls. Several decisions went against the West Indies, leading to criticism of third umpire Adrian Holdstock. Fans and experts demanded accountability and stricter oversight in technology usage. 10. IPL 2025 – pitch and ticket disputes IPL 2025 saw clashes off the field as well. KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane publicly criticised Eden Gardens’ pitch conditions, leading to a war of words with curator Sujan Mukherjee. Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad accused the Hyderabad Cricket Association of coercion over complimentary tickets, highlighting governance issues within the league.