5 Most hated cricketers of all-time

“Most hated” is a harsh label, and in sport, it usually grows from a mix of betrayal, scandal, abrasive personality, or simply being the focal point of tribal anger. Hatred in cricket rarely has a single root. Match-fixing scandals provoke near-universal revulsion because they attack the sport’s fairness; personality clashes, abrasive punditry or off-field allegations create more partisan dislike. Time, contrition and performance can alter public memory. Often, the strongest anger follows perceived betrayal: of teammates, fans or the game itself.

Below is a measured, human-sounding look at five cricketers (and one high-profile coach) whose careers generated intense dislike at different times. I stick to documented incidents and try to explain why public feeling ran so high.

1. Hansie Cronje

Once South Africa’s golden boy and inspirational captain, Cronje’s legacy was ruined by the match-fixing revelations of 2000. The King Commission enquiry concluded he’d accepted money and favours linked to corrupt bookmakers. As a result, Cronje was banned from cricket for life. 

For many fans, the outrage was personal, and it wasn’t only that matches were tainted, but that a trusted leader had betrayed his team and country. The scandal still ranks as one of cricket’s darkest chapters. 

2. Salman Butt

Salman Butt’s fall from grace was swift and public. Accused alongside Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir of spot-fixing during England’s 2010 tour, Butt was suspended by the ICC, later convicted in a UK court and given a custodial sentence. 

That a national captain was implicated in deliberately manipulating parts of a Test match triggered widespread fury, from supporters, fellow players and boards alike and left a long, bitter aftertaste in Pakistan cricket. 

3. Mohammad Amir

Amir’s case is complicated. As a teenager, he was involved in the same 2010 spot-fixing scandal, received a ban and served a prison sentence, events that made him the object of intense hatred and vilification. 

Yet, unlike some others, Amir later apologised, served his suspension, and returned to international cricket. Many fans grudgingly accepted him back as he produced performances that suggested remorse and renewed commitment. His arc shows how public fury can soften but also how some stains endure. 

4. Greg Chappell

Greg Chappell’s name provokes strong reactions in India. Appointed India coach in 2005, he became embroiled in a very public, poisonous dispute with then-captain Sourav Ganguly after a confidential email in which Chappell criticised Ganguly was leaked to the media. 

The episode left scars long after Chappell’s tenure ended and made him one of the more polarising figures in modern Indian cricket. He was already in bad light for advising his brother and bowler, Trevor Chappell, to bowl the infamous underarm delivery to win the game for Australia, which was supposed to be New Zealand’s win.

5. Geoffrey Boycott

Geoffrey Boycott’s batting was monumental, but his public persona has often been abrasive. A combative commentator and uncompromising critic of players and styles he dislikes, Boycott has repeatedly divided opinion. He has also faced personal controversies, including a 1998 conviction for assault in France and a string of off-the-mic remarks that drew accusations of insensitivity or worse. 

For many viewers, his outspoken manner and past legal trouble made him an easy target for anger; for others, he remains an icon whose frankness is part of his appeal.

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