These rivalries threatened to spoil team dynamics, and some had long-term consequences!

There's an African saying that goes, "An army of sheep led by a lion can defeat an army of lions led by a sheep." But what happens when conflict arises within the team itself, particularly between the skipper and their players? Although mutinies against captains are rare in cricket, history is peppered with notable instances of such rifts. Some players have openly acknowledged these conflicts, while others have denied the rumors. In this article, we'll dive into the five biggest captain-versus-player rifts in cricket history.

Virat Kolhi vs. Rohit Sharma 

The first spot in our list of the biggest captain vs. player rifts in cricket history goes to the heated clash in Indian cricket during the 2019 World Cup. Tensions reportedly began when Rohit Sharma was unhappy with Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri's decision to not send MS Dhoni at number 4 in the semifinals against New Zealand. Following India's defeat, rumours intensified as Rohit flew back to India early and unfollowed Anushka Sharma on social media. Despite both Rohit and Kohli repeatedly denying these rift rumours, speculation continues to flare up from time to time.

The West Indian Rift

The rising personal achievements and adulation in Australia sparked a fierce rivalry between young West Indian batsmen Garfield Sobers and Rohan Kanhai. The West Indies were split in their evaluation of the two champions, with Australians also divided in their opinions. Cricketer-turned-journalist Jack Fingleton found no consensus among fans from different cities. Realising the potential harm, Sir Frank Worrell called a team meeting in Tasmania, addressing the issue directly. This timely intervention prevented a destructive rivalry, and Sobers and Kanhai went on to amass over 14,000 Test runs and 41 centuries between them.

A rumoured clash between MS Dhoni and Sehwag

This supposed 'rift' gained traction between 2009 and 2012. It began at the 2009 T20 World Cup when Sehwag’s mysterious shoulder injury prompted Dhoni to curtly suggest asking Sehwag’s physio for details. Though both played pivotal roles in India's 2011 World Cup victory, rumours resurfaced during the 2012 CB series in Australia. Sehwag revealed that Dhoni's rotation policy for senior openers, aimed at fielding fresher legs, was not communicated to them. Despite public denials, the Dhoni-Sehwag saga remains a topic of speculation and drama.

Dhoni instructing Sehwag on the pitch

Laker put off by May’s comments

Jim Laker is best remembered for his 19 wickets against Australia at Old Trafford in 1956, but he also had a notable feud with then-England captain Peter May. Laker's deadly off-spin, paired with Tony Lock’s left-arm spin, formed a formidable duo, instrumental in Surrey’s seven consecutive county championships from 1952-58. The rift began when May accused Laker of not trying during a 1958 county match, prompting Laker to withdraw from the upcoming Ashes tour. The stalemate lasted until the selectors diplomatically resolved it. In his autobiography, "Over to Me," Laker criticised May’s captaincy, the team management, and the Surrey club authorities.

Hutton vs. Trueman

During England’s volatile 1953–54 tour of the Caribbean, calls for independence were rising. Led by Len Hutton, the English team faced strict orders not to fraternise with the opposition. This irked Freddie Trueman, who had already befriended several West Indian players. Trueman, known for his outspoken nature, clashed with Hutton over this policy. Hutton labelled him a "problem child," leading to Trueman losing his good conduct bonus and missing several tests. Despite ending his career with 307 wickets in 67 Tests, Trueman believed Hutton's unfair treatment cost him the chance to play 100 Tests and surpass 400 wickets.

Cricket is a sport where the skipper's role is extremely important, so these rifts cause extreme problems in team dynamics, affecting their performance.