5 instances when cricketers crossed the line while being on air

With the rise of social media, cricketers have to be extra careful about how they conduct themselves as every action of theirs is scrutinised minutely. Since cricketers are very often celebrities idolised by millions, they have to be more responsible about their opinions and actions.Cricketers very often make stray comments on television and try to get away with it in the name of being funny. But most of these actions are evidently not funny, especially when they put others in a situation of visible discomfort and pain.Here are 5 instances when cricketers crossed the line while being on air. Both past and present cricketers have been included in this list.

#1 Chris Gayle

Gayle's interview with Mel McLaughlin courted much controversy

Chris Gayle has been all over the news of late making headlines for the wrong reasons. Gayle who scored a quick fire 41 off 15 balls for the Melbourne Renegades in the BBL courted controversy for his objectionable comments on air while being interviewed by Channel 10 presenter Mel McLaughlin.

Gayle said, "I wanted to come and have an interview with you as well. That’s the reason why I’m here, just to see your eyes for the first time. It’s nice so, hopefully, we can win this game and have a drink after. Don’t blush baby.”

The fiery southpaw has been under pressure from all quarters and has also tried to apologise for his comments. This is not the first time Gayle has made controversial comments on air. He had made cheap advances towards another reporter while being interviewed before a Jamaica Tallawahs match against the Antigua Hawksbills.

On being asked how the pitch felt on that occasion, Gayle had replied, “Well I haven’t touched yours yet, so I don’t know how it feels.”

#2 Shahid Afridi

Afridi is one player who never held back from making his thoughts known

In his heydays, Shahid Afridi's prowess with the bat was as feared as his words. Afridi never held himself back when it came to speaking out his mind, often leading to an embarrassment for the team management and creating unwanted controversies in the process.

Afridi's comments to the Samaa News channel after returning to Pakistan on having been knocked out of the 2011 World Cup created widespread controversy. "In my opinion, I have to tell the truth, they [the Indians] will never have hearts like Muslims and Pakistanis. I don't think they have the large and clean hearts Allah has given us," Afridi said.

He found himself in more trouble a couple of years later for his sexist views about women's cricket. In an interview with the Dubai-based Pakistan news channel ARY News on 27th October 2013, on being asked about women's participation in sports, he shocked everyone by saying: "Well, our women cook very well."

#3 Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar has never shied away from controversy

Shoaib Akhtar had been one of the most controversial cricketers as he has repeatedly been embroiled in disputes during his playing days. Old habits seem to die hard. Even as Akhtar has become a more sedate gentleman as a cricket expert, his old self seemed to come back to life while criticising the performance of the Pakistani team in the 2015 World Cup.

The Rawalpindi Express went on an epic rant live on national television as he tore into the Pakistani captain Misbah-ul-Haq. “Misbah is the most coward and selfish captain I have ever seen in the history of Pakistan cricket. He fears to come at number 3 position. If he has courage then why he doesn’t come on one down,” Akhtar said.

Also questioning the inclusion of the 37-year-old Younis Khan, Akhtar continued, “The world is laughing at Pakistan. Pakistan batting line-up is a complete mess up. The batsmen in the team lack talent and technique.”

Akhtar had also courted controversy for taking cheap potshots at the Pakistani team while appearing with Harbhajan Singh on Comedy Nights with Kapil. "If we add up Misbah's, Younis' and Afridi's ages this team will itself be 150 years old," Akhtar had said on that occasion.

Akhtar was widely criticised in Pakistan for his comments and Pakistani stand-up comedian Umer Sharif said that Akhtar had lost his place in the nation after his remarks.

#4 Mohammad Yousuf and Rameez Raja

Mohammad Yousuf (L) and Rameez Raja went at each other on live TV

Mohammad Yousuf and Rameez Raja created one of the most sensational moments as they were involved in a verbal duel on live television late last year. On being quizzed about Mohammad Amir's inclusion in the team, Rameez Raja replied, “People with beards should not lie openly.”

This seemed to set off a fuse as Mohammad Yousuf in an agitated manner started blaming Rameez Raja for being not good enough to pass judgements on cricket. “A shameful man like you can only say things like these. You have not done anything in your career and now you can only say things like these. If you have any shame you should not speak about cricket,” he said.

He also said that Rameez Raja is nothing but 'an English teacher' and had a very poor record as a cricketer. When the host tried to intervene, Rameez Raja, in a mood to relent, said that he should not be called if they have 'fake pious' people on the show.

#5 Dean Jones

Dean Jones was fired for his distasteful comment about Hashim Amla

Cricket-turned commentator Dean Jones might have committed the ultimate act of indiscretion on air when he made an unsavoury statement about Hashim Amla during a South Africa vs Sri Lanka Test match at Colombo in 2006.

When Amla took the catch to dismiss Sangakkara on the fourth day, Jones who was commentating for Ten Sports cried: "The terrorist has got another wicket!" The remark caused a storm of criticism and Jones was immediately sacked by his employers, Ten Sports.

Jones later issued a statement apologising unconditionally for his remark. He said, "It was a silly and completely insensitive thing to say and, obviously, it was never supposed to be heard over the air. I am truly sorry to have caused offence to anybody and the last thing I intended was to be disrespectful.

"Everyone needs to get away from perpetuating the myth, publicly and privately, that beards associated with the Muslim faith are somehow suspicious, and I intend to do exactly that. The irony is that I am great friends with most of the Pakistan team and they are all Muslims."