From Virat Kohli Vs Gautam Gambhir To Ravindra Jadeja vs Suresh Raina, Top 10 Biggest Fights Between Indian Cricketers - In Pics
Cricket, often referred to as the "gentleman's game," is not always without its share of heated moments and on-field clashes. Over the years, several incidents have unfolded, showcasing the competitive spirit and occasional tensions that arise among players. Let's take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the most intense and memorable confrontations that have shaped the history of cricket.
This article explores some of the most intense and memorable on-field clashes in cricket history. From Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir's fiery altercation during the IPL to Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammad Azharuddin's strained relationship, these confrontations highlight the competitive spirit and occasional tensions that arise among players. Delving into incidents involving Ravindra Jadeja, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Rohit Sharma, Lala Amarnath, Maharaja of Vizianagaram, Sunil Gavaskar, and Kapil Dev, this piece offers a glimpse into the heated moments that have shaped the game over the years.
Virat Kohli vs Gautam Gambhir (IPL 2013):
During the 2013 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru witnessed an ugly fight between Virat Kohli, then captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and Gautam Gambhir, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper. After KKR's fast bowler Laxmipathy Balaji dismissed Kohli, tempers flared as the two aggressive captains exchanged heated words. Thankfully, intervention from KKR players and the umpire calmed the situation down, preventing further escalation.
Ravindra Jadeja vs Suresh Raina (2013 Tri-Series):
In a tri-series match against the West Indies in 2013, Indian cricketers Ravindra Jadeja and Suresh Raina were involved in a heated argument. Raina dropped a catch off Jadeja's bowling, leading to a moment of tension. However, Raina's gesture of putting an arm over Jadeja later helped diffuse the situation.
MS Dhoni vs Virender Sehwag (Rumored Rift):
Rumors of a rift between former Indian cricket legends MS Dhoni and Virender Sehwag surfaced during their time in the Indian cricket team. Speculations arose when Dhoni, as captain, preferred to play younger players to groom them for the next World Cup. Sehwag, in a press conference, revealed that the reason behind Dhoni's decision was not communicated properly to the senior players. While both players denied any major conflict, awkwardness was initially felt before things settled down.
Rahul Dravid vs Sachin Tendulkar (Declaration Controversy):
Two of cricket's most respected cricketers, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, faced a disagreement during a Test match against Pakistan in 2004. Dravid, captaining the team due to Sourav Ganguly's injury, declared the innings two overs earlier, preventing Tendulkar from completing his double century. Tendulkar was unhappy with the decision, and though Dravid stated it was in the team's interest, tensions lingered.
Rohit Sharma vs Virat Kohli (2013 Verbal Exchange):
In 2013, during a match against Australia, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had a heated conversation after a run-out. Kohli was the one dismissed, and frustration got the better of him. However, Rohit's incredible batting performance, scoring a double century, led to mutual respect as Kohli applauded from the dressing room.
Lala Amarnath vs Maharaja of Vizianagaram (1936 England Tour):
One of India's earliest cricket scandals took place during the 1936 tour of England. Lala Amarnath, a top player, clashed with the then Indian Test captain Maharaja of Vizianagaram, known as Vizzy. Amarnath was allegedly mistreated by Vizzy, and this friction led to Amarnath's exclusion from the team.
Sunil Gavaskar vs Kapil Dev (1983 Captaincy Tussle):
Sunil Gavaskar, a cricketing icon since his debut in 1971, saw his captaincy replaced by Kapil Dev after a disastrous tour of Pakistan in 1983. The relationship between these two legends deteriorated further when Kapil made an aggressive shot that cost India a Test match against England. It took the intervention of BCCI President NKP Salve to broker a ceasefire between them.
Sachin Tendulkar vs Mohammad Azharuddin (1996 Captaincy Struggle):
In 1996, tensions arose between Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammad Azharuddin. Tendulkar took over the captaincy from Azharuddin after a disappointing tour of England and a heartbreaking World Cup exit. Tendulkar believed that Azharuddin was not fully committed during matches, and their relationship suffered. Eventually, Tendulkar resigned as captain, citing moral responsibility for the team's defeat.
Hardik Pandya vs Ravindra Jadeja (2017 Champions Trophy):
During a tense final between India and Pakistan at the 2017 Champions Trophy, Hardik Pandya had a mix-up with Ravindra Jadeja, resulting in Pandya's dismissal. Frustrated, Pandya swung his bat and took a long walk back to the dressing room. However, he later apologized to Jadeja, acknowledging it as part of the game.
Navjot Singh Sidhu's Departure: Tensions with Mohammad Azharuddin Surface:
During England's tour in 1996, Navjot Singh Sidhu made a surprising decision to abruptly fly back to India, leaving the team without any explanation. Although no official reports shed light on the matter, it was rumored that Sidhu's departure was a result of his dissatisfaction with the then-captain, Mohammad Azharuddin. Years later, Jaywant Lele, the former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, revealed that Sidhu was frustrated with Azharuddin's consistent use of abusive language. According to Lele's book, Sidhu expressed his deep disappointment, finding Azharuddin's behavior intolerable. Sidhu, feeling upset and unwilling to endure further verbal abuse from his skipper, quietly made the decision to leave the team. This incident highlighted the underlying tensions between Navjot Singh Sidhu and Mohammad Azharuddin, adding another chapter to the history of conflicts within the world of cricket.
