Cricket is a game of discipline and sportsmanship. Fans consider players as role models both on and off the field. But some well-known Indian cricketers found themselves on the wrong side of the law. Their off-field actions led to arrests, police cases, and public controversies. These moments shocked fans and raised questions about personal conduct behind sporting fame. Here’s a detailed look at five Indian cricketers who faced legal trouble and were arrested.
1. Amit Mishra: Arrested in Sexual Harassment Case
Former Indian leg-spinner Amit Mishra faced serious legal charges when a woman accused him of sexual harassment in Bengaluru. The incident took place in a hotel room where the complainant alleged that Mishra assaulted her. The Bengaluru police arrested him and booked him under Section 354 (assault on a woman) and Section 328 (causing hurt by poison, etc.) of IPC.
This was not the only time Mishra made headlines for the wrong reasons. Recently, his wife also filed a police complaint, accusing him of physical assault and demanding Rs 1 crore as compensation. Though the cricketer remained silent in public, the cases caused damage to his public image.
2. Suresh Raina: Booked for Breaking COVID Protocol
Former star Suresh Raina, known for his calm personality and clean image, shocked fans when Mumbai Police arrested him in December 2020. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government imposed strict lockdown and night curfew rules.
Raina attended a late-night party in a Mumbai club, where 34 people, including celebrities like singer Guru Randhawa, were present. None of them followed COVID-19 safety guidelines. The police raided the venue and arrested all the people present, including Raina. Later, he was released on bail, but the incident raised eyebrows over careless behavior during a health crisis.
3. Vinod Kambli: Accused by Maid of Assault
Vinod Kambli, once seen as a rising star in Indian cricket and a close friend of Sachin Tendulkar, has often stayed in the news for controversial reasons. In 2015, his domestic help filed a police complaint, alleging that Kambli beat her up when she asked for her salary.
According to the maid, she suffered injuries due to the assault. Police filed a case, and Kambli was taken into custody. However, he denied the charges, claimed that the maid had no proper ID proof, and was trying to harass him. The case drew attention because of Kambli’s history of getting into legal trouble.
4. Navjot Singh Sidhu: Sentenced in Road Rage Case
Former cricketer and politician Navjot Singh Sidhu got involved in a serious case in 1988. In a road rage incident, he was accused of beating a 55-year-old man, who later died. The case continued for many years, and after multiple legal battles, the Supreme Court finally sentenced Sidhu to 10 years in prison.
In 2022, Sidhu surrendered to the authorities and served time in Patiala Jail. Though he later resumed political and media work, the incident reminded fans that even sports legends could face harsh consequences for violent behavior.
5. S. Sreesanth: Arrested in IPL Spot-Fixing Scandal
Fast bowler S. Sreesanth, a key player in India’s 2007 T20 and 2011 ODI World Cup wins, saw his career end due to a huge controversy. During the IPL 2013 season, the police arrested him and two other Rajasthan Royals players in a spot-fixing case.
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The Delhi Police charged them with accepting money to give away fixed runs during matches. The BCCI banned Sreesanth for life, though the court later acquitted him due to lack of evidence. Still, the damage was already done, and his cricket career never recovered.
Fame Doesn’t Protect Against the Law
These incidents show that personal behavior still matters no matter how successful or famous a player becomes. Fans worship cricketers, but they lose respect and trust when they break the law. These arrests also remind us that sportspeople carry a big responsibility—to act with maturity not just on the pitch but off it too.
Some cricketers managed to bounce back, but others lost public support forever. Cricket may be a gentleman’s game, but it takes more than just performance to be a proper gentleman in real life.
Source: Navbharat Times
