#3) Jesse Ryder
Jesse Ryder stands as a striking example of a player whose international cricket career was ultimately derailed by a series of persistent controversies. Notably, no other cricketer in the sport’s history has been embroiled in as many controversies as Ryder, largely stemming from his ongoing struggles with alcohol and an undisciplined lifestyle. Initially hailed as the future of New Zealand cricket, Ryder’s journey deviated drastically, rendering him a significant ‘what-if’ tale in the annals of New Zealand’s cricketing history.
The first major controversy surfaced when Ryder’s involvement in a late-night drinking session led to his absence from a team meeting and subsequent practice session in 2009. His indiscipline allegations continued, prompting Ryder to take a self-imposed sabbatical in 2012 to address his on-field behaviour. In a distressing turn of events in 2013, Ryder was brutally assaulted by a group of men outside a Christchurch bar, resulting in a medically induced coma.
Ryder’s struggles persisted as he returned to the national side for a test against India. Yet, he found himself embroiled in another alcohol-related incident, caught partying alongside Jimmy Neesham and Doug Bracewell on separate occasions. This behaviour led to his exclusion from the team, marking the end of his international career.
