- Shahid Afridi – Comments on Kashmir
The former Pakistan captain faced heavy criticism in India after he called for international intervention in Kashmir. Several Indian cricketers publicly rebuked him, leading to social media outrage and strained cricketing ties. - Moeen Ali – Wearing a Gaza wristband
The England all-rounder wore wristbands reading “Save Gaza” during a match in 2014. ICC deemed it a political message and banned him from wearing them on-field, though he received support from some teammates off-field. - Michael Holding – Speaking on racism and Black Lives Matter
The legendary West Indies pacer turned commentator delivered a passionate speech on racism during a live broadcast in 2020. While widely praised, he also faced backlash from a section of fans who felt sports should remain “apolitical.” - Virender Sehwag – Tweets on student protests
The former India opener was criticised for mocking a student activist on social media during the 2017 Gurmehar Kaur controversy. He later clarified it was meant as a joke, but the backlash was intense and polarising. - Usman Khawaja – Support for Palestine
The Australia batter displayed shoes with messages like “All lives are equal” and “Freedom is a human right” during the 2023–24 Australian cricket season to show solidarity with Palestine. ICC barred him from wearing them on-field, triggering a global debate.
Players Who Faced Backlash for Political Statements
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