This principle applies to all sports, including cricket, one of the most popular games in the world. Cricket has similarly destroyed former greats of the sport who made the incorrect choice to become famous by lying. These athletes used drugs to improve their physical prowess or ball-tampering to defeat the opposition during pivotal game moments. By purposely underperforming, or “tanking,” as it is known in some sports, they turned to match-fixing to make money just by losing a game—five famous captains who lost everything in a shady deal with the night.
1. Hansie Cronje(South Africa)
One of the most renowned all-rounders South Africa has ever had in their lineup was Hansie Cronje, who is best described as a tragic hero. He was promoted to the Proteas captaincy due to the African brass being captivated by his leadership ability. On April 7, 2000, Cronje was found guilty of manipulating games with Indian betting ring member Sanjay Chawla. He was caught twice for match-fixing, for which he lost his captaincy and was banned from all sports.
2. Mohammad Azharuddin(India)
Azharuddin was a fantastic batsman, one of the best slip fielders in the game’s history, and a composed leader. The fashionable Hyderabadi became embroiled in a controversy that was eventually overturned ten years after he was given a lifetime ban. Azharuddin and Ajay Sharma were given lifetime bans by the BCCI, while Ajay Jadeja received a five-year punishment. Jadeja’s ban was eventually lifted in 2003, but Azharuddin persevered in defending one of the cases that had dragged on the longest to clear his name.
3. Steve Smith
Steve Smith, one of the best batsmen in the world right now, fell into a year of gloom after Cricket Australia suspended him for defaming his country. Smith asserted that over lunch, the leadership team decided to tamper with the ball to change the game’s result. Steven Smith was given a one-year suspension due to the investigation committee that Cricket Australia put up.
4. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)
Shakib al Hasan, the world’s top all-rounder and one of Bangladesh’s most accomplished batsmen, landed in hot water after failing to disclose the methods of match-fixing agents on multiple occasions. Shakib al-Hasan admitted to the accusations following an investigation. He was then given a two-year cricket suspension, with the first year being suspended. The all-around performer is expected to return on October 29, 2020.
5. Maurine Odumbe(Kenya)
Then, in the 2003 World Cup, Odumbe led Kenya to previously unheard-of heights, but he was forced to leave the sport early after being accused of match-fixing. In August 2004, after Odumbe was found guilty and handed a five-year suspension, the bugle was sounded for his final game.
Is that not a good ending for such a brash cricket persona?