From India defeating PAK thrice in the Asia Cup to Bengaluru winning its maiden IPL trophy, cricket witnessed several highs, but 2025 wasn’t without lows and controversies

Be it cricket or any other sport, controversies are part of the game, and no matter how carefully one treads their path, something, intentional or unintentional, ends up grabbing the wrong headlines. In 2025, cricket was no different. The game witnessed several highs but also faced several lows, leading to some controversies. As the year comes to an end, here’s a recap of the top controversial moments in cricket in 2025.

Bengaluru stampede

(Credit- Outlook India)

What was supposed to be a victory celebration turned into a tragedy. After the Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title since 2008, a victory celebration was organised at Bengaluru’s home ground, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Unfortunately, mismanagement of the crowd led to a massive stampede, which led to the demise of over 10 people, and multiple people got severely injured, including a six-year-old.

Change of venue

(Credit- The Hindu)

The entire world is aware of the sour relationship between India and PAK, which is why the ICC Champions Trophy and Asia Cup drew negative attention. Given that PAK was the host of the ICC Champions Trophy, India chose not to travel to PAK due to security concerns. Therefore, the tournament had to be played in two countries, with one venue selected for India’s matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

For the Asia Cup, India was the host, but neither PAK wanted to travel to India, nor did India want PAK’s presence on their soil. Therefore, the UAE was handed over the hosting rights.

Trophyless Champion

(Credit- NDTV Sports)

Despite the change in venue, India and PAK still clashed on the field, with no handshake policy and gestures exchanged between the two sides. PAK-side administrator Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chief of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), could not gulp down PAK’s three consecutive defeats at the hands of India. Therefore, after India won the trophy, Naqvi ran away without handing it over. India, despite being the champion, was not given the trophy – a behaviour from PAK that drew immense criticism, and PAK became meme material.

Send-off celebration

(Credit- ESPNcricinfo)

Given that the IPL is considered the world's biggest domestic T20 tournament, one controversy among many stood out. The “notebook” celebration of Lucknow Super Giants bowler Digvesh Rathi did not sit well with the IPL committee, who thought it was a breach of IPL’s code of conduct. Therefore, he was suspended for one game and fined.

In 2025, these four moments became the most-discussed negative incidents in cricket. Unfortunately, this is not the end of it, as controversy never leaves any sport alone, so cricket will have more such moments.