The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series is set to ignite the long-standing rivalry between India and Australia once again, as both teams eagerly prepare for the five-match Test series. Over the years, these contests have produced countless unforgettable moments, but they’ve also seen their fair share of heated confrontations and controversies that shocked the cricket world. Here are some of the most memorable and controversial incidents that added fuel to this fiery rivalry.
1. The Monkeygate Scandal: Harbhajan Singh vs. Andrew Symonds
One of the most talked-about controversies in cricket history took place during the 2008 Sydney Test match between India and Australia. The incident, later dubbed “Monkeygate,” began as a verbal exchange between Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh and Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds. Things escalated when Symonds accused Harbhajan of calling him a “monkey,” which Symonds interpreted as a racial slur.
The Australian media immediately latched onto the story, with Symonds and the Australian Cricket Board demanding action against Harbhajan. The matter went to a disciplinary hearing, where Harbhajan was initially banned for three matches, sparking outrage in India. The Indian team even considered abandoning the tour in protest. Eventually, the ban was lifted due to a lack of concrete evidence, but the incident remains one of the most infamous in India-Australia cricket history.
2. Sourav Ganguly’s Toss Delay with Steve Waugh
During the 2001 Test series between India and Australia, an unusual standoff developed between Indian captain Sourav Ganguly and Australian skipper Steve Waugh. At that time, Australia was the most dominant team in the world, and Steve Waugh was known for his no-nonsense approach to the game.
Before each match, Waugh noticed that Ganguly was consistently late to the toss, something Waugh later discussed in his biography Out of My Comfort Zone. Ganguly, who had a reputation for being a passionate leader, left Waugh waiting at the pitch multiple times. This mind game irritated Waugh and added tension between the two teams. Years later, Ganguly admitted that the delays were unintentional, but the psychological effect of keeping the Australian captain waiting played a role in India’s competitive edge during that series.
3. Virat Kohli Calls Out Steve Smith in the “DRS-Gate” Scandal
The 2017 Test series in India saw another major controversy, this time involving Indian captain Virat Kohli and Australian captain Steve Smith. During the Bangalore Test match, Smith was given out LBW but was caught glancing toward the dressing room for a hint on whether to review the decision using the Decision Review System (DRS).
Kohli immediately took notice of this and brought it to the attention of the umpires, accusing Smith of breaching the rules by seeking outside assistance for a review decision. The heated exchange between the two captains quickly escalated, with Kohli labeling Smith’s actions as “cheating.” The incident drew widespread media attention and further intensified the rivalry. Later, Smith apologized, calling it a “brain fade,” but the damage to the India-Australia relationship had already been done.
4. Virat Kohli’s Middle-Finger Gesture to Australian Fans
On India’s 2011-12 tour of Australia, a frustrated Virat Kohli found himself struggling for runs, facing constant taunts and heckling from the Australian fans. In one match, when the crowd’s sledging became too much, Kohli lost his cool and responded by showing his middle finger to the crowd.
The gesture led to a fine of 50% of Kohli’s match fee, and he received criticism from the media and fans worldwide. Though he later apologized, this incident marked Kohli’s fierce and passionate approach to the game and revealed the intensity with which he faced Australia both on and off the field. This moment became a defining part of Kohli’s journey in the early days of his international career, as he learned to channel his aggression into his game.
5. The “Brain Fade” Incident of 2017
In another infamous moment from the 2017 series, Virat Kohli and Steve Smith found themselves at odds once again. During the series, Kohli accused the Australians of routinely checking with the dressing room before making DRS decisions, a move that Kohli described as “crossing the line” of fair play.
The situation escalated as Smith referred to his gesture as a “brain fade,” a defense that did not sit well with Kohli or the Indian fans. The Indian team management later raised the issue with the International Cricket Council (ICC), underscoring the level of tension and distrust that had developed between the two sides.
6. The 2008 Sydney Test: Controversial Umpiring Decisions
Another contentious series was the 2008 Sydney Test, which is remembered not only for the Monkeygate scandal but also for several controversial umpiring decisions. Throughout the match, India found themselves on the receiving end of questionable calls, which some believed unfairly favored Australia.
The series of controversial decisions fueled frustration within the Indian team and among fans, who felt that their team had been treated unfairly. The perceived bias led to diplomatic intervention, with Indian cricket authorities threatening to withdraw from the tour. The match eventually ended with a victory for Australia, but the bad blood created during this series lingers in the memories of both Indian and Australian cricket fans.
India-Australia Cricket: A Rivalry Fueled by Passion and Pride
These controversial moments underscore the passion and fierce rivalry that exists between India and Australia on the cricket field. While the confrontations sometimes push the boundaries of sportsmanship, they add to the intensity and high stakes of each match. With the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, fans worldwide eagerly await another thrilling showdown, hoping for memorable performances and, perhaps, a few moments of controversy that will add to the legacy of this storied rivalry.
