Cricket is an intense sport. Even as the competition is between bat and ball, the mental aspect of the game can’t be undermined by any stretch of the imagination. Staying calm is also essential so that it allows a player to channelise thoughts in the right direction in the situation of crisis.

It’s Jofra Archer’s composed demeanour in the Super Over that gave England their maiden World Cup title. New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson doesn’t seem to lose his composure even in the most adverse scenarios.

Like the Black Caps captain, there have been plenty, who are known to possess the art of holding nerves under pressure. However, there have been instances when even the calmest of cricketers got carried away. They vented their frustration and anger out, letting their emotions flow.

In the article, let’s take a look at three occasions when calm cricketers lost their cool: –

1. Rahul Dravid’s altercation with Mitchell Johnson

It took place during the Qualifier 2 of the 2014 IPL between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals. Mitchell Johnson prefers, hurling verbal volleys at the batsmen apart from his bouncers and yorkers. This time around, he tried to get under Rahul Dravid’s skin.

In the third over of the game at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Dravid exquisitely drove Johnson for a boundary through the mid-off region. Johnson then tried to ruffle Dravid with some stern words. In the very next delivery, Dravid flicked the speedster for back-to-back fours.

Thereafter, Dravid went up to the fast bowler, asking  ‘you want to say something?’ The situation didn’t unnerve the Royals’ skipper by any means as he scored 43 runs. But to his dismay, the Mumbai franchise went on to emerge victorious by four wickets.

2. MS Dhoni charging on the field after umpire goof-up

MS Dhoni got himself tangled in a mini controversy in the 2019 edition of the IPL. During the Chennai Super Kings’ match against the Royals, Dhoni was swayed away by his emotions. During the fag end of the game, on-field umpire Ulhas Gandhe called a no-ball, only to be over-ruled by leg-umpire Bruce Oxenford.

The sudden change in call didn’t please Dhoni, who charged on to the field. Then he went into a heated argument with the umpires after which the original decision stood. Dhoni was then charged with a Level 2 offence 2.20 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct, which he accepted.

The now 38-year-old was fined 50 per cent of his match fees. Mitchell Santner’s six off Ben Stokes in the last ball gave CSK a win by four wickets. It was also Dhoni’s 100th victory as the skipper of an IPL side.

3. Jacques Kallis left fuming after controversial dismissal against England

Jacques Kallis, known to be cool as a cucumber, once couldn’t hold on to his emotions. The incident happened during South Africa’s third Test against England at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. He was given out caught down the leg side by Rod Tucker.

Steven Finn and Brits resorted to the DRS and replays showed that the leather had indeed hit Kallis’ gloves on its way to the keeper. But at the point of contact, the bat was away from the bottom hand. Due to the lack of enough evidence, the decision was expected to go in the batsman’s favour.

However, to the surprise of many, Kallis was given out. The batsman was left fuming and even Graeme Smith, the Proteas skipper, wasn’t a happy man. Nevertheless, the visiting team went on to win the game by 51 runs.

4. Inzamam-ul-Haq after getting out obstructing the field

Inzamam-ul-Haq was the second Pakistan batsman after Ramiz Raja to be given out obstructing the field. The incident occurred back in 2006 at Peshawar during the match against Dravid’s India. In the 44th over of the hosts’ run-chase, Inzamam hit one down to mid-off and the fielder tried to throw the stumps down at the striker’s end.

However, Haq put his bat up and the ball crashed on to it. The Indian fielders appealed after which Simon Taufel adjudged him out after consulting Asad Rauf. Inzamam, who scored 16 off 19, immediately went to the umpire to get a clarification.

The dismissal didn’t cost Pakistan though as they won by seven runs (DL Method). In the post-match presentation ceremony, the hosts’ skipper said that he couldn’t understand the exact specifications of the rule.

5. Kumar Sangakkara unhappy after Younis Khan’s reprieve

Kumar Sangakkara, the former Sri Lanka captain, once got into a war of words on the field with Pakistan batsman Younis Khan. It happened during the ODI series back in 2009 in Colombo. In the 35th over of the visitors’ innings, Sangakkara erupted in appeal after Khan, who was on 70, seemed to have edged one to the keeper.

But Gamini Silva, the umpire was unmoved and didn’t it give out. Sanga then had a heated chat with Younis, who later complained to the umpire. Replays showed that the leather had indeed taken an outside edge.

The umpire’s error in judgement didn’t cost Lanka much as Prasad castled Khan on 76 in his very next over. Later, Sangakkara downplayed the spat and said that since the officials are the most skilled, they should be allowed to do their work.