Cricket has seen its fair share of fiery personalities, with some players known for their short tempers on the field. From heated arguments to aggressive outbursts, these cricketers have often let their emotions take center stage. This list highlights the top five hot-headed cricketers who, despite their temper, have left a lasting impact on the game.
5. Naveen ul Haq
Afghanistan’s rising pacer, Naveen-ul-Haq, made headlines during the latter stages of IPL 2023, becoming a central figure in a heated controversy involving none other than Virat Kohli. The situation escalated to such an extent that Lucknow Super Giants mentor Gautam Gambhir stepped in, confronting Kohli after the match.
The drama unfolded during the 17th over of LSG’s chase, when Virat, the former Indian captain, was seen exchanging words with Amit Mishra before engaging in a verbal spat with Naveen. Kohli appeared to gesture about delivering a fiery bouncer, fueling tensions further. The confrontation didn’t end on the field; it spilled over into the post-match discussions, with cryptic social media posts keeping fans hooked.
This wasn’t the first time Naveen found himself at the center of on-field disputes. In the Lanka Premier League three years ago, he had run-ins with Mohammad Amir and later Shahid Afridi. Even during the customary post-match handshakes, tensions flared, with Naveen visibly clashing with Afridi.
Given his history of fiery exchanges, Naveen-ul-Haq has earned a reputation as one of the most hot-headed cricketers in the modern game.
4. Jonny Bairstow
Jonny Bairstow stands out as the sole cricketer from the UK to make it onto this list. Known for his aggressive style of play, Bairstow typically avoids getting caught up in on-field drama. However, opponents often attempt to rattle him. One such instance occurred during India’s visit to the UK last year for the rescheduled Test match.
The Edgbaston Test was pivotal for India. In England’s second innings, India had them reeling at 83/5. That’s when Virat Kohli decided to engage in some verbal sparring, which initially seemed to subdue Bairstow. Adopting a cautious approach, he managed only 13 runs off 60 deliveries. But after a fiery exchange with Kohli, Bairstow flipped the script. He shifted gears dramatically, smashing a match-winning century that turned the tide for England.
More recently, Bairstow found himself in the spotlight again during the 2023 Ashes series. In the Lord’s Test, he was controversially dismissed by Alex Carey, who noticed Bairstow had habitually wandered out of his crease. This unusual dismissal sparked a heated debate among fans, adding to the already intense atmosphere of the Ashes rivalry.
3. Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh’s premier all-rounder, is widely regarded as one of the modern greats in cricket. However, his name often grabs headlines not just for his performances but also for his fiery on-field temperament. Known for his passionate and intense involvement in the game, Shakib has frequently found himself at the center of controversies due to behavioral lapses.
Earlier this year, during a Dhaka Premier League match, Shakib lost his cool after a strong LBW appeal was turned down by the umpire. In a fit of frustration, he kicked the stumps, an act that led to fines and a suspension from the BPL. This incident was far from isolated.
In 2018, Shakib made headlines when he angrily protested a no-ball call, sparking a heated confrontation. His disciplinary troubles date back even further—during the 2014 Asia Cup, he was penalized for making an inappropriate gesture on the field. Given his track record, Shakib has earned a reputation as one of cricket’s most hot-headed players, with every move of his closely scrutinized.
2. David Warner
David Warner, Australia’s explosive opening batter, is often recognized as one of the more short-tempered cricketers in the game. Known for his fiery on-field persona, Warner has a knack for intimidating opponents with his aggressive demeanor. Although he has mellowed over time, the Warner of 2018 was a different story altogether.
One of the most infamous incidents involving Warner occurred during the controversial 2018 Test series against South Africa. While the series is widely remembered for the sandpaper scandal, another major talking point was Warner’s heated altercation with Quinton de Kock in the players’ tunnel. CCTV footage captured Warner in a fit of rage, aggressively confronting de Kock. Teammate Usman Khawaja was seen repeatedly trying to restrain him. Warner’s actions ultimately led to a reprimand from match officials.
Warner later explained that de Kock had been persistently sledging him and allegedly made offensive remarks about his wife. While Warner expressed regret for allowing the situation to escalate physically, he stood firm on defending his family, highlighting his strong family values.
Despite his efforts to rein in his temper, Warner’s name continues to pop up on lists of cricket’s most hot-headed players from time to time.
1. Virat Kohli
The poster boy of World Cricket takes the top spot here as well. Although he has calmed himself a lot. But still, the fire inside him is there, it often comes out. The passionate West Delhi boy has a history of anger issues where he lost his cool.
In his first-ever CWC match, he got a stare from Bangladeshi bowler Rubel Hossain. It didn’t go well with him and Virat immediately had some words exchanged with him. They go back a long way to under 19 days. A few months after that, the famous middle finger incident took place when the Australian crowd was abusing him. In response to that, young Virat infamously showed his middle finger which was caught on camera.
Even if we keep aside Naveen ul Haq’s incident in IPL, Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli were found in a verbal altercation earlier as well. The umpires had to step in to separate the duo then. Virat is known for his on-field aggression which he expresses more often than not. Sometimes it works for his team, sometimes it does not but Kohli continues to wear his heart on the sleeve and often finds himself gracing the list of most hot-headed cricketers in the game right now.