5 instances when a player squared off with his captain

Team spirit is an important concept that many teams fail to comply withFor any sport, the concept of team spirit is extremely important. Espirit de corps, as it is called, is vital for any team to endure and eventually flourish. It is the feeling of mutual respect and solidarity that separates a group from a team.The player must always put the team’s interests before his own, which goes a long way towards ensuring the team’s survival. Behind every single victorious team in any sport, is the admiration that players have for each other, and most importantly, the admiration they have for their captain.In the game of cricket as well, it is no different. Each era has seen prominent captains who have led from the front to ensure their team’s domination. Don Bradman, Clive Lloyd, Steve Waugh to name a few. It is the passionate camaraderie between the captain and the player that was the driving force behind their success. Stories of players backing their captains up in these teams are legendary, and it is something that several teams around the world currently lack.It could be said that success and defeat hinges on the morale of the team, which plays a huge factor during any match. There have been several occasions when players have spoken out against their fellow teammates, and even when they have faced off against their captains.Let’s look at 5 such instances when a player had a disagreement with his captain:

#5 Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs - 2010

Gibbss revelations in his autobiography exposed the dark side of South African cricket

During his career, Herschelle Gibbs sought controversy wherever he went. He was first accused of match fixing with Hansie Cronje, for which he was later banned for six months. Then, he got into trouble for smoking marijuana in 2001 after which he faced disciplinary action for making racist comments in a match against Pakistan. Even after his retirement, Gibbs continued to serve up controversy wherever he went.

In his autobiography, Out of my Comfort Zone, he specified several details about South African cricket, which tarnishes their spotless image in the cricketing circle. In this, he singled out his former captain Graeme Smith, whom he accused of running a seniors club within the South African team.

He further accused Smith of favouring the older players like Kallis, Boucher and De Villiers, while ignoring the younger players. Gibbs also described Smith of being too powerful and that Smith didnt know how to manage the players.

In response, Graeme Smith expressed his disappointment with Gibbs, and denied all that he had stated. Smith further stated that the way Gibbs had described his team spoke more about his own insecurities than that of the teams. Smith also said that the team had carried Gibbs through the difficult parts in his life, and that Gibbs statements were poor repayment.

Cricket South Africa originally planned to take legal action against Gibbs, but later resolved to terminate his contract prematurely. They made a statement saying that Gibbs had acted in bad faith, and that the termination of his contract was in the best interests of everyone.

#4 Michael Clarke and Shane Watson - 2013

Clarke and Watsons spat was silent but significant

Despite the standoff between Shane Watson and Michael Clarke being conducted in silence, it was still a major blow to Australian cricket. It began in 2013 in the tour to India, where Shane Watson was sent back home after failing to complete a homework assignment.

Michael Clarke, the Australian captain reportedly stated that Watson was a cancer on the team. This statement was actually revealed by former-coach Mickey Arthur who was responsible for the axing of Watson from the team in the first place.

Clarke and Watson who were never close in the first place were further wedged apart by this remark by Clarke, which Watson did not take kindly. But he did not make outraged statements or press conferences. He simply avoided all contact with Clarke, and went about his way with an icy demeanour.

Their relationship was question by the media, but it was hastily thrown under the bridge by the team management. But the growing discomfort among the team members did not go unnoticed by several experts, and it did not help that Watson was vice-captain to Clarke.

The only comments that Watson made were strictly neutral. He claimed that he had played cricket with Michael Clarke since he was 12, and they had their ups and downs. But it did not escape the notice of fans as they wondered why Watson averaged so less under Clarke. The rumours were further elevated when news of Watson getting dropped from the Ashes side in 2015 was leaked to the media and Clarke was suspected of it.

But Clarke denied all the charges, and blamed the selectors for leaking the news without consulting him. He further stated that there was no rift between him and Watson, which was backed up by reports saying that Clarke had offered Watson advice to solve his LBW problem. Both Watson and Clarke announced their retirements after the Ashes, and did not play together again.

The Watson-Clarke spat proved that disagreements between players could be conducted akin to a Cold War, but could still have far-reaching consequences. It was a mark of the seriousness of the issue that several players and coaches refused to comment on the matter. In all likelihood, it will go down as one of the worst kept secrets in Australian cricket.

#3 MS Dhoni and Virender Sehwag - 2011

MS Dhoni and Virender Sehwag still continue to deny a rift between them

MS Dhoni is never far from inviting controversies himself, and his dispute with Virender Sehwag was perhaps the ugliest. Dhoni, who became Indian captain in 2007, immediately started a selection policy among the team, which saw seniors being frequently rested.

Sehwag, who saw himself being rest one too many times, lashed out at Dhonis decision to drop him during the CB Series in 2011. Dhoni retaliated by saying that he was focusing on building a good fielding unit, and that playing 3 seniors Tendulkar, Gambhir and Sehwag would be counterproductive.

Sehwag, maintained that Dhoni was dropping him for different reasons, and that poor fielding was just an excuse. A hasty team meeting was arranged, and both players came out of it maintaining that there was no rift between them.

But that was put to the question as Sehwag was dropped for the Asia Cup, and MS Dhoni failed to provide a reason, stating that he couldnt justify every omission. Sehwag angrily hit back at Dhoni, stating that he won matches only because of strong teams.

This war-of-words between Dhoni and Sehwag severely impacted the team in a period which saw India lose several home series away from home. Despite scoring a double century in an ODI against West Indies, Sehwag was dropped a mere 11 matches later and never played again.

After his retirement, Sehwag continued his stand that he had no differences with MS Dhoni whatsoever, but some may suggest otherwise.

#2 Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar - 2004

Perhaps the most controversial moment in Rahul Dravids spotless career

As Virender Sehwag completed his triple century in Multan in 2004 the first Indian cricketer to do so there would be no doubt that the Test would go down as one of the most historic of all times. But it would also have an element of controversy around it, which was instigated by Rahul Dravid.

With Indias score on 675-5 and Sachin Tendulkar batting on 194, Dravid decided to declare the innings, leaving the Indian batting legend 6 runs short of a well-deserved double-century.

In his autobiography, Tendulkar wrote that he was angry and disappointed that Dravid had declared early, and that the two did not meet eye-to-eye. He wrote that during the tea-break, coach John Wright had explained that they needed to declare with 15 overs left in the day, so Tendulkar paced his innings to ensure he got his double century before that. But the declaration came an over and a half early, which left Tendulkar stranded on 194.

When then-captain Rahul Dravid approached him, Tendulkar firmly stated that his feelings about the event would not show on the field, but that he would like to be left alone off it. Tendulkar further vented that he had angrily told Dravid that he was batting for the team and that the 194 was his contribution to the cause. He also reminded Dravid about the Sydney test a month ago when Ganguly had sent out a message to declare, but Dravid kept on batting.

Despite both Dravid and Tendulkar insisting that they had buried the hatchet then and there, it still continues to be a very controversial moment in Dravids otherwise stellar career.

#1 Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen - 2012

The great Kevin Pietersen saga began with a series of text messages abusing Andrew Strauss

Perhaps the biggest confrontation between a player and a captain in the England dressing happened in 2012, when Kevin Pietersen was accused of sending defamatory messages about England captain Andrew Strauss to the visiting South African players. Pietersen a South African-born cricketer himself was alleged to have sent texts to South African players in which he called Andrew Strauss an abusive name, and also referred to Ashley Giles.

Once word of that incident got out, Pietersen was axed for the final test of the tour. Pietersen worded an apology to the team management, but they put their foot down firmly, stating that he would not be considered for future matches until he disclosed the full content of the text messages.

Showing that they meant business, Pietersen was further dropped from the squad for the World T20 later that year. He responded by blaming Andrew Strauss for milking an innocent matter and taking advantage of the situation.

But with Andrew Strauss retiring and Alastair Cook taking over as England captain later in the year, it seemed Pietersen would get another go. He was picked for the tour to India in late 2012, where he played one of the best innings in India to take England to victory on a square turner in Mumbai.

But Strauss now team director warned that Pietersen would continue to cause problems and he was proved right. A fallout between Pietersen and coach Andy Flower escalated in 2013, which resulted in the latter being axed. Rumours of Pietersens poor relationship with the rest of the team emerged, and he was axed after a disastrous Ashes series in Australia. He has not played for England since.

In May 2015, Pietersen was called by Strauss to discuss the possibility of his inclusion in later series. But the latter told him that he did not trust him and that Pietersen could not be selected since he had trust issues with the rest of the team.

Though Pietersen is still active in domestic cricket, chances of him being selected look very bleak.