Cricketers are considered an ideal role model for their feats on the cricket ground but what we do not know is how these cricketers behave off the field. Some Cricketers are surprisingly the opposite of what they portray on the field.

In India, Cricketers are given celebrity status and with all the glamour around them, any wrong move from their end in professional or personal space gets blown out in the press. Any wrong move by the cricketers can seriously tarnish their image in the public’s eyes and make them overnight villains.

Even with all the risk involved, some cricketers for some easy money make wrong decisions.

Their decisions not only tarnish their image but also harm the game’s image.

From assault allegations to spot-fixing scandals, these players’ journey took unexpected turns and were on the wrong side of the law

Here is a look at some of the cricketers who went to jail.

Presented By: Raghunath Nair

Mohammed Amir, Mohammed Asif, and Salman Butt

The famous trio to have been formally tried and sentenced for match/spot-fixing brought the entire cricket world into shock.

In 2010 when Pakistan toured England, Salman Butt captaining Pakistan instructed his two premium Fast bowlers, Mohammed Amir and Mohammed Asif to throw no balls in purpose during the test match. They were to be compensated for their act later.

The Courts sentenced Mohammed Amir to six months in prison in November 2011 for conspiring to commit gambling fraud and conspiring to receive corrupt payments.

The court sentenced Asif to 12 months in prison and Salman Butt to 30 months.

S. Sreesanth

One of the most talented but controversial figures in Indian cricket has to be the Kerala Speedstar, S. Sreesanth. M.S Dhoni had famously mentioned that Sreesanth was in the Indian team for pure luck. Such was his image in the team, unfortunately, the lure of quick money not only saw him being banned from the team but also behind bars and was followed by a long court battle to overturn the ruling as the BCCI adopted a zero-tolerance attitude.

It was alleged that S. Sreesanth was part of a spot-fixing scandal. The Controversy brought down Sreesanth’s career and fan following.

Rubel Hossain

Bangladesh Pace Bowler was accused of rape by his long-term partner. As the acquisition was grave, the Bangladeshi pace bowler was arrested following the filed report.

Failing to marry and abide by his promise of marriage was the cause of this case which was later dropped for Rubel to join the world cup squad.

Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes, the English all-rounder and current Test Captain, spent a night in jail after a bar fight. He has with English player Alex Hales who also spent the night in jail. Inconclusive evidence and eyewitness accounts cleared the all-rounder of any suspicion.

Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram, was arrested for possession of illegal drugs in the West Indies during the 1993 tour.

Wasim Akram was implicated along with teammates Mushtaq Ahmed, Waqar Younis, and Aaqib Javed

Waqar Younis, Aqib Javed, Mushtaq Ahmed, and Wasim Akram were all detained for possessing illegal drugs.

They were later out of jail on bail.

Akram was also further involved in the match-fixing scandal that rocked Pakistan cricket.

Navjot Singh Sidhu

In a 1988 road rage Incident followed by the death of a person, Sidhu was sent to jail in May 2022 for one year.

Suresh Raina

During Covid restrictions in India, Suresh Raina was arrested for not following the law and was partying at a nightclub

He was arrested by Mumbai Police.

He was later released on bail.

Kusal Mendis

Sri Lankan batsman was arrested in 2020 in a hit-and-run case involving a senior citizen.

The accident victim succumbed to his injury and the Sri Lankan player was arrested.

He was granted bail on the next day, with investigation agencies looking into the possibility of drunk-and-driving.

Makhaya Ntini

South Africa’s Makhaya Ntini was arrested for rape charges and sentenced to six-year term in 1998.

Ntini was accused of sexual assault of a lady from East London, which later was proved false due to lack of evidence, and the six-year term was overturned.

Luke Pomersbach

Former Australian cricketer Luke Pomersbach was arrested in India for molestation and assault during IPL 2012.

Pomersbach had a history of drug abuse and for beating up a police officer in Australia during a drunk driving stop.

Chris Lewis

Former England cricketer Chris Lewis was sentenced for 13 years for cocaine smuggling.

He hid the drugs in fruit juice tins in his cricket bag.

He was released after serving 6 ½ years

Vinod Kambli

Vinod Kambli, former Indian cricketer was arrested in 2015 along with his wife for allegedly assaulting their Maid. The maid had lodged a complaint of abuse and locking her in a room. Kambli had denied the allegations, claiming she lacked proper identity proof.