3 controversies that erupted between India and Australia in recent times
The Indian cricket team is currently in Australia for a long tour which includes three-match ODI and T20I series followed by Border Gavaskar Trophy consisting of four Tests. The two fiercely fighting teams have had some epic clashes against each other in the past and the players of both the nations have been involved in some serious controversial interactions. Let’s take a look at them.
Monkeygate Scandal
The Monkeygate scandal involving Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds and Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh is the most controversial incident in cricket history. While touring Australia in 2008 for a Test series, the two teams were up against each other at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the second Test of the four-match series. Symonds was spectacular with the willow in that match. However, during the match, Andrew and Harbhajan were involved in a terrible mix up in the middle.
What are your worst memories of Australia-India Tests in Australia?
Starting with Sydney Test in 2008. The tour was almost called off by Indian authorities.
Kumble – “Only one team was playing with the spirit of the game, that’s all I can say”#AUSvsINDpic.twitter.com/4kTyU4mTTr
— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) November 17, 2020
The Australian all-rounder accused the Indian spinner of making racial comments on him. Symonds stated that Harbhajan called him a ‘monkey’. Thus, the authorities fined Harbhajan with level 3 charge and he was banned for three Tests as well as 50% of his match fees was deducted as penalty. However, the Indian side was not happy with the development. Later, Harbhajan was freed from the charges and the ban was lifted.
“Speak English”
During the second One-Day International (ODI) between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), in January 2015, Rohit Sharma and David Warner were involved in a verbal spat. What happened was Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina were out there in the middle while Warner was fielding in the inner circle. Rohit played a stroke that went straight to Warner. Warner threw the ball to the stumps but it went past Sharma and the batsman ran for another run.
With this, Sharma violated one of the unwritten rules of cricket during the match by deflecting a throw from Warner and snatching an extra run. Warner was not pleased with the same and hence came to have word with the batsman. However, Rohit replied in Hindi and this enraged the Aussie player further. After this Warner told Sharma to “Speak English”. This behaviour by Warner was found to be inappropriate and he was fined 50% of his match fees.
Steve Smith DRS brain fade
India and Australia were playing the second Test match of the four-match Test series at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru. Batting first India has racked up a total of 189 on the board. In reply, Australia scored 276 on the back of half-centuries by Shaun Marsh and Matt Renshaw. In their second innings, India could score only 274 runs and the visitors were deemed as favourites.
While batting in the second innings, the captain Steve Smith was looking confident of taking his team to the finishing line, however, Umesh Yadav bowled a grubber and trapped Smith in front of the wickets. The Umpire immediately upheld an LBW appeal by Indian contingent. Things got heated up when Smith looked at the dressing room for help with the DRS.
According to rules, players are not allowed to seek external help – they are only allowed to consult their batting partners at the other end. Noticing this, Indian skipper Virat Kohli was left furious and he marched to Smith to tell him that he can’t bend the rules. Though, Smith left the field after the umpire reminded him about the rules. Later, Smith clarified that he had a brain fade for that particular moment while Kohli dismissed Smith’s excuse of a brain fade and said it had happened on at least two other occasions during the Test.
