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The Mike Denness Saga: When India Rebelled Vs Match Referee For Ball Tampering Concerns

Akshita Patel

 The Mike Denness Scandal of 2001 [Source: @DSK247g, @PictureSporting/X.com] The Mike Denness Scandal of 2001 [Source: @DSK247g, @PictureSporting/X.com]

The ‘no handshake’ drama of the Asia Cup 2025 has led to an administrative war as Pakistan lodged a protest against India while also calling for the suspension of match referee Andy Pycroft. Interestingly, this is not the only instance where a referee found himself in the line of fire.

In November 2001, an Englishman named Mike Denness, then serving as ICC match referee, sparked one of the most explosive controversies in the sport’s history.

Mike Denness Suspended 6 Indian Players For Controversial Reasons

It all began during the second Test between India and South Africa at Port Elizabeth. Cameras caught Sachin Tendulkar cleaning the seam of the ball with his nails. 

Match referee Mike Denness ruled it an offence because Tendulkar hadn’t informed the umpires, but the decision was quickly misreported as “ball tampering”. 

To make matters worse, Virender Sehwag, Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan Singh, Shiv Sunder Das, and Deep Dasgupta were all punished for “excessive appealing”. Ganguly, as captain, was also accused of not controlling his team.

The penalties were severe. Tendulkar, Ganguly, Harbhajan, Das, and Dasgupta were each handed Test bans, while Sehwag was banned for both Tests and ODIs. 

The Indian media didn’t hold back, branding the decision racist, while furious fans burnt Denness’ effigies on the streets. Even Indian politicians raised the matter in parliament.

India Went On To Play An Unofficial Test With South Africa

The BCCI then threatened to abandon the tour unless Mike Denness was removed for the next Test. Though the ICC refused to entertain the protest, South Africa’s board sided with India, replacing Denness with Denis Lindsay. 

The third Test went ahead but was declared “unofficial” by the ICC, effectively making it a glorified friendly. 

Eventually, the ICC overturned bans on Tendulkar and Ganguly, admitting that the great Indian batsman was not guilty of ball tampering.  However, Sehwag’s ban stood, leading to further drama when India named him in their squad to face England. 

The ICC threatened that any Test Sehwag played would not be considered official. To avoid another standoff, India reluctantly dropped him from the first Test. 

The incident tarnished Mike Denness’ career; he officiated only a handful of games afterwards before retiring due to poor health. He passed away in 2013.