India versus Australia always promises to be a feisty affair and it looks like this series will not be any different. Over the past decade or so, India have been constantly giving it back to the Australians and not letting them get under their skins.
Here are 5 of the most India versus Australia sledging moments:
Virat Kohli vs James Faulkner:
Virat Kohli is always open to get into a discussion with the Australians regarding any of the proceedings and one incident that was caught on the stump mic was back in the 2016 India tour Down Under. James Faulkner was trying to give Kohli a bit of lip but the batsman just responded simply by saying, “Don’t waste your time, go back and bowl. I’ve smashed you enough in my life already, there’s no point.”
It will be interesting to see if there is a sequel to this narrative this time around too.
S Sreesanth vs Andrew Symonds:
One of the more hilarious incidents between India and Australia occurred in an ODI series back in late 2007. Sreesanth, then the frontline pace bowler of the team, bowled a short one to Symonds who managed to scoop it high in the air.
The bowler caught the ball and threw it in the air and in his raw excitement, gestured in an angry manner towards the Aussie. Symonds, being someone who does not sit back had some choicy words for the bowler while departing.
Rahul Dravid vs Mitchell Johnson:
While this had not happened in an international match, Dravid and Johnson had a face-off during an IPL game between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians. After hitting Johnson for a four, the bowler had something to tell Dravid who seemed to have ignored what he said.
The very next ball, Dravid flicked one off his pads for four and went back to Johnson and gestured with an “I can’t hear you, you’ve something to say?” as a sheepish Johnson walked back to his run-up.
Ishant Sharma vs Steven Smith:
In the Test series of 2016, there was a lot of animosity between the two teams throughout the games. One memorable incident however was when Ishant Sharma imitated Steven Smith making faces trying to duck under the short ones.
The faces Ishant made were extremely funny and even Smith had a laugh about it. It helped defuse some of the tension during the game.
Sourav Ganguly vs Steve Waugh:
The Australian captain was one who was feared by many opposition for his harsh and very upfront nature. However, one man who did not cower from a challenge was Sourav Ganguly. In a Test match back in 2001, Waugh was made to wait for the toss by the Indian captain.
Ganguly took his own time to come out for the toss and this is said to have angered Waugh. However, India went on to record a historic victory against the Aussies.
By Rohit Nair
