While the current version of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy – Test series between India and Australia – is played with jovial spirits between the players of the two teams, in the past, players often swiped at each other and sledging from the previous generation of Australian cricketers was very normal.
Even the usually calm, and composed Indian players used to give it back to the Aussies who dared to throw verbal volleys.
BOne such famous incident involves Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and Michael Clarke. Opposition players rarely sledged Tendulkar; for they knew they’d be admonished by even their own media and public for going after the great man.
But, Michael Clarke, new to international cricket, decided to hurl down some constant verbal volleys toward Tendulkar in order to break the zen-like focused mindset of the Indian legend.
Batting alongside Tendulkar was the free-speaking man, the belligerent batter and Tendulkar’s good friend Virender Sehwag.
In Vikram Sathaye’s book How Sachin Tendulkar destroyed my life, this incident has been detailed out, revealing how hilariously Sehwag shut down Clarke.
Michael Clarke chirped at Tendulkar, “You are too old, forget it. You need to go.”
This triggered Sehwag, who then walked to the young Aussie and asked,”What’s your age?”
“23, mate!” Clarke replied with interested ears.
Virender Sehwag responded, “Do you know he [Tendulkar] has more hundreds in Tests and in ODIs than your age? Try someone your age, mate!”
A bemused Clarke didn’t stop and still continued sledging the legend. He uttered saying, “Hey you, oldie! You #@$#@$ blah blah!”
In his typical swagger, Sehwag went for the ultimate insult to Clarke. “Your friends call you ‘pup’, right?” Clarke replied, “Yeah, mate.” Sehwag shut him up by asking, “Which breed?”
With a baffled face then Clarke went to his fielding position as Virender Sehwag and Tendulkar broke into laughter. For the rest of the Test, Clarke stayed out of their way.
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