5 cricketers who are hated as much as they are loved

Cricket can be a very cruel game at times. With millions of eyes observing every move, it is not easy to escape the brickbats or the scorn of fans all around the world.Every cricketer has his highs and lows. While some are lucky enough to have the backing of fans no matter what, a few aren’t that lucky. They become the eye of a public storm and transform from heroes to villains in a jiffy in spite of their achievements.Here is a list of cricketers who have earned the dubious distinction of being loved and hated, all at once.

#5 Kevin Pietersen

KP has always divided opinion

Kevin Pietersen is probably controversy’s favourite kid. He divides opinion all the time. Despite enthralling fans with his flamboyant batting and power hitting, he was never in the good books of the selectors. While he single-handedly won many matches for England with his aggressive and innovative strokeplay, his brash attitude and frequent sparks with the management ensured a career epitaph.

Known for his switch hits, KP was a gifted cricketer who is still being loved by his fans all over the world. But at the same time, a section of the English public and a few cricketers who have played alongside him will have plenty to say against the man.

#4 Hansie Cronje

Cronje’s reputation took a beating

Despite being one of the most talented cricketers to have represented South Africa, Hansie Cronje will forever be remembered for the wrong reasons. While Hansie was one of the best captains and an instrumental all rounder who was loved by many, his alleged involvement in the match-fixing scandal in 2000-2001 tarnished his reputation and all the hard work and sacrifice that he had made over the years.

Despite receiving a life ban, he was voted as South Africa’s 11th best cricketer. He was an inspiration for many and an ambassador of the game during his playing days and was loved by all. Today, he is seen as the traitor who cheated the game that would have made him a living legend.

#3 Virat Kohli

Opposition fans always target Kohli

While Virat Kohli is touted as ‘the next big thing’ in world cricket, he had to struggle and wade through a sea of criticisms before he could reach his current spot. When Kohli first emerged on the international arena, he was considered to be a promising youngster, but his temperament and ‘devil may care’ attitude did not go down well with many.

Wherever Kohli goes, the fans make him their primary target as we have seen in the past in Australia.

In spite of being the best batsman in the team, his occasional failures and off-field activities haven’t gone well with his critiques. And now after being appointed as the Test Captain, it is time for him to brace himself and let his bat do the talking. He has to make sure that he doesn’t lose his composure as each and every single failure will invite so many questions.

#2 Ricky Ponting

Ponting was hated by many because of his brash arrogance

Ricky Ponting is regarded as a cricketing legend for his immaculate captaincy and batting, but he had his fair share of haters too. While Punter is one of the most competitive guys to have played the game, his obsession with winning has sometimes resulted in unwanted controversies and bitter fights with opponents like the infamous Sydney Test vs. India during the 2007-08 series.

Despite being one of the most successful captains ever, Ponting was subjected to a fair share of hate throughout his career by the opposition fans because of the brash arrogance that he was associated with right from his younger days. Who can forget his tirade towards the English balcony during an Ashes Test or the sight of a young Ricky abusing Javagal Srinath when the Indian bowler’s bouncer hit his helmet?

But at the same time, his consistency with the bat and his success as a player (and captain) won him a lot of admirers from around the globe.

#1 MS Dhoni

Dhoni has his own set of haters

If there is someone who is the rightful owner of this tag, it is India’s ‘captain cool’. From being called ‘the man with the Midas touch’ to ‘captain selfish’, he has seen it all. Though he took Indian cricket to the pinnacle of success, his recent failure in overseas tours has raised many eyebrows.

He is going through one of the toughest phases of his career. He will forever be loved and remembered as a wonderful finisher and a world champion who mastered the art of captaincy. But at the same time, right from his earlier days, he has had his own shares of haters.

Some fans were never impressed by his batting technique, and some section always blamed him whenever the selectors dropped a senior player. He is also constantly accused by fans for giving longer ropes to under-performers.