A doping test in cricket is performed to check if a player has used a prohibited substance to enhance their performance. The anti-doping watchdog called the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has joined hands with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and provides a list of banned substances that, on consumption by any player, may invite a penalty or a lengthy ban.
What is Doping Test in Cricket
Doping has been quite prevalent in international sports. To avoid such malpractices, WADA prescribes that every athlete is checked randomly. Later, as cricket became a more prominent sport, WADA tied up with the ICC to help the world body keep the sport clean.
If a player consumes any performance-enhancing drugs that the WADA has delisted, the ICC will ban them. A doping test in cricket is a test that detects if a cricketer has consumed such drugs. Every player has to undergo a doping test randomly.
How is a Doping Test in Cricket Executed?
The doping test is conducted randomly. There are several steps by which your blood samples are collected for the doping test. Let us have a closer look at a doping test in cricket:
Random Selection:
A player is either randomly selected or tested based on some credible information.
Notification Issue:
A notification is issued once the player is selected for a doping test in cricket. Once this notification gets out, that player must inform the doping tester of their whereabouts.
Sample Collection:
The player must give his urine sample in the tester’s presence.
Split into Two:
The urine sample gets split into A and B. If sample A has a banned substance, then Sample B gets tested.
Sealed:
The sample is sealed so it doesn’t get contaminated.
Taken into the Lab:
The sample is now sealed and transported to the WADA-accredited laboratories, where expert analysis takes place.
Analysis:
First, sample A gets tested, and if it turns out to be positive, then sample B is analyzed.
Result Notification:
The player is notified once the results are obtained.
What Happens if the Test is Positive?
If a player is tested positive, they have four ways to appeal against the decision.
- Request that sample B be tested once again.
- Attend the opening of Sample B so that they know it is not tampered with.
- Request a detailed lab report.
- Appeal against the positive results.
Doping Test in Cricket – Who All Are Caught Doping?
Many cricketers found positive in doping tests in cricket. Few of them had to pay the price and were banned for a few months by the ICC. Here are some of the famous names who failed doping tests:
- Yusuf Pathan (India)
- Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan)
- Pradeep Sangwan (India)
- Yasir Shah (Pakistan)
- Shane Warne (Australia)
- Mohammad Asif (Pakistan)
- Ahmed Shehzad (Pakistan)
- Stephen Fleming (New Zealand)
- Upul Tharanga (Sri Lanka)
- Prithvi Shaw (India)
Concluding Thoughts
Failing a dope test in cricket is something that is considered shameful. In a country like India, where cricketers are worshiped, failing a dope test can bring a lot of brickbats. It happened to Indian youngster Prithvi Shaw, who was found guilty of consuming the banned substance called Terbutaline. In the last decade, multiple violations have proved that even young and inexperienced cricketers can fall prey to the glitz and fame of the sport.
Read Best betting blogs in India on Fun88
FAQs about Doping Test in Cricket
A doping test checks whether a cricketer has consumed a banned performance-enhancing drug.
A doping test so that the sport remains at a level playing field.
Prithvi Shaw was found positive for a banned substance called Terbutaline in 2019 and was banned for eight months.
Star it if you find it helpful.
