Top 10 biggest what-if moments that changed cricket forever — Which one would have changed everything?

Cricket has provided the fans with some unforgettable victories, heartbreaking defeats, and some of the legendary performances. But behind every iconic moment, a fascinating question lies- what if things had gone differently? Just like for India and the fans, what would have happened had Travis Head been dismissed on November 19, 2023, during the Men’s ODI World Cup final? 

A single catch, an injury during or before the contest, an umpire’s decision, or even a captain’s tactical call can easily change the progress of not just the game but also the entire history of the nation in the game. Some of these moments will also create debates among the fans and the experts.

What if Australia had not dominated the game in the early 2000s? What if South Africa had broken their World Cup curse? What if Sachin Tendulkar picked up a career-threatening injury in his career, or Virat Kohli had chosen a different sport other than cricket? The unanswered questions would always fuel the game’s greatest discussions.

Top 10 biggest what-if moments that changed cricket forever

The beauty of the game remains in its unpredictability, as any decision can turn a general player into a legend, while one mistake can haunt an entire generation of the game. Many of the game’s biggest ‘what-if’ moments didn’t just affect a single player but reshaped rivalries, changed several careers, and the game itself.

Here is the countdown of the top 10 biggest what-if moments that changed cricket forever. These are the moments that came closest to rewriting the sport’s history. From the missed chances and controversial calls to incredible fate, each entry explores a different reality that could have transformed the game.

#10 What if Australia had not lost the 2005 Ashes?

It could have been a longer era of dominance for Ricky Ponting’s Australian side, with the 2005 Ashes reviving Test cricket worldwide. The visitors started the series with a 239-run victory at Lord’s before facing a two-run defeat at Edgbaston, which was followed by a drawn clash in Manchester.

During the fourth clash at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, the hosts took the lead with a three-wicket win, and once the fifth and final Test at the Kennington Oval ended in a draw, Australia’s golden run in the longest format ended. The series remains one of the most entertaining ones in the history of the game.

#9 What if Chris Cairns had never suffered career-threatening injuries?

Chris Cairns, for New Zealand, smashed 3320 runs in 104 innings of Test cricket with 22 fifties and five centuries, along with 218 wickets at an average of 29.40 with 13 five-wicket hauls. In the ODI format, he scored 4950 runs in 193 innings with four centuries and 26 fifties, besides collecting 201 wickets at 32.80 in the 50-over format. 

See Also: Top 10 Rohit Sharma records that look untouchable — Which one is most unbreakable?

In August 2001, he suffered a life-threatening Type A aortic dissection, which is a tear in the body’s main artery. He suffered a stroke in his spine, which left him paralyzed from the waist down. Had he not suffered the injury, Cairns could have been one of the best all-rounders of the game across the three formats.

#8 What if Grant Elliott was dismissed LBW before hitting Dale Steyn for six in the 2015 World Cup semi-final?

If the New Zealand all-rounder, Grant Elliot, had been dismissed through the leg before the wicket (LBW) to the South African pacer, Dale Steyn, during the semifinal of the 2015 ODI World Cup at Eden Park in Auckland, the home side would have needed five runs from two balls with a couple of wickets in hand.

Daniel Vettori would have been at the striker’s end. Despite him being an experienced member of the side, Steyn, one of the best fast bowlers of his generation, could have channelled the pressure in winning the game for the Proteas. But Elliot was not dismissed, and he smashed the memorable six to win the 299-run chase and remained unbeaten on 84 runs off 73 balls, thanks to seven boundaries and three sixes.

#7 What if Sourav Ganguly had never shown faith in young MS Dhoni?

If the former Indian captain, Sourav Ganguly, had never shown faith in the young MS Dhoni, the trajectory of Indian cricket would have been totally different. Ganguly’s decision to fast-track the Ranchi-born and promote him to No.3 was perhaps the biggest plus point for Indian cricket. 

See Also: Top 10 ICC ODI World Cup Finals ranked from worst to best — Which one tops the list?

After being dismissed on a first-ball duck on his debut against Bangladesh, Dhoni needed the support from the management and, most importantly, he required the faith of the captain. And once he was promoted to three, his career went into beast mode. Ganguly’s persistence led to Dhoni’s explosive knock of 148 runs in Visakhapatnam. And the rest was history.

#6 What if Australia had not enforced the follow-on in the 2001 Kolkata Test?

If Australia had not enforced the follow-on during the 2001 Test match against India at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, they could have batted again, put the home side out of the game, and drawn or won the contest. This would have continued their 16-match winning streak and secured the series, preventing the most iconic comeback ever in a Test match by any country.

However, the Steve Waugh-led side enforced the follow-on as the 376-run partnership for the fifth wicket gave them a massive lead, with VVS Laxman smashing a dashing knock of 281 runs and Rahul Dravid nailing 180 runs. In reply, the tourists were bundled out for 212 as Harbhajan Singh ended with 6/73, including a hat-trick.

#5 What if Kerry Packer had never revolutionized cricket with World Series Cricket?

Without the World Series Cricket (WCS) in 1977 by Kerry Packer, the game would have likely remained an underfunded game with comparatively less entertainment. The players might not have received the multi-dollar contracts; innovations like the colourful kits, day-night matches, and the T20 formats like the Indian Premier League (IPL), BBL, and others would not have ever happened.  

Cricketers, during the 1970s, were underpaid, often forcing them to work day jobs along with their commitments in international cricket. Packer brought the new idea to play the game along with training as full-time professionals.

#4 What if the IPL had never existed?

Many truly believe that India’s winning campaign of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2007 gave birth to the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the following year. But had it never existed, cricket would be a far less lucrative and globally marginalized game. The financial aspect and ecosystem would have fallen apart drastically, while the domestic players wouldn’t have got the chance to showcase their talent at the biggest stage of the game.

See Also: Top 10 biggest match-fixing scandals in cricket: Which one shook the game the most?

The IPL, over the years, has become one of the most valuable sports leagues in the universe. In an IPL-less world, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would have lost a massive multi-billion-dollar funding. The players would earn a small portion of their current wealth.

#3 What if Ben Stokes’ bat had not deflected for four overthrows in 2019 ODI WC final?

If Ben Stokes’ bat had not deflected the ball for four overthrows, England would have needed 14 runs off the final three balls instead of nine runs, which reduces their chance of winning the game. Instead of the controversial six runs, they would have received five runs, where the umpire Kumar Dharmasena made the mistake, which he later accepted.

Moreover, because the batters had not crossed before the fielder released the ball, Adil Rashid should have been on strike for the next delivery. The game would not have tied at the primary stage, and there would not have been any need for a super over to win the encounter for both sides. New Zealand could have won their very first 50-over Men’s World Cup in the game’s history.

#2 What if MS Dhoni had not been run out by Martin Guptill in the 2019 WC semifinal?

If the former Indian captain, MS Dhoni, had not been run out, India would have needed 25 runs off the final 10 balls during the second semifinal of the Men’s ODI World Cup 2019 at Old Trafford in Manchester. Being known as the greatest finisher of the game, Dhoni’s presence would have put enormous pressure on the bowling side.

The mountain-high required run-rate and the lack of partners would indeed have still made it an uphill battle for Dhoni. But he had guided the blue brigade to victory from such positions in the past.

#1 What if Herschelle Gibbs had held Steve Waugh's catch in 1999 World Cup clash?

Had Herschelle Gibbs held on to Steve Waugh’s catch during the 1999 World Cup Super-six match at Leeds in Headingley, Australia would have been eliminated, altering the trajectory of the event and perhaps erasing the notorious ‘chockers’ tag for the South African side.

See Also: Top 10 cricket records held by MS Dhoni that still stand: Which one is the most unbreakable?

Gibbs, who has been a safe catcher in his career, dropped the relatively simple chance, which was offered by Waugh, who was on 56 at the time. The former captain was given a lifeline, as he went on to smash an unbeaten 120, guiding them to a crucial victory, and later, they went on to win the title.

Top 10 biggest what-if moments that changed cricket forever- FAQs