Top 5 biggest controversies in Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Whenever Australia and India lock horns on the cricketing field, the fans witness so much drama along with the cricketing action. Now, two powerhouses of cricket are set to face each other again for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy down under. The five-match Test series will begin with a match at WACA Stadium in Perth from November 22 to 26. India will be looking to create a hat-trick of Test series wins down under, while Australia aim to win a Test series against India after 10 years. Throughout the years, there have been many iconic moments on the field during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, along with some famous controversies that have added more spice in the rivalry between India and Australia. In the following listicle, we will have a look at the top five biggest controversies in the BGT. Five biggest controversies in BGT Racist slurs by Australian crowd to Indian players in BGT 2020-21 During the third Test of the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Indian players including Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah received racist remarks from the Australian crowd present at Sydney Cricket Ground. The Indian cricketers were called monkeys, wankers and motherf****r from the crowd from the stands. India’s stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane stood up for his players and spoke to the match officials as the match was stopped for a few moments. #PAGE_BREAK# Steve Smith’s brain fade moment didn’t go well with Indian players in BGT 2017 During the Test match between India and Australia in Bengaluru in 2017, Australian skipper Steve Smith was accused of not following the spirit of the game. While chasing a target of 188 runs on day three, Smith was given LBW out by Umesh Yadav at 28(48) runs. However, being confused after the dismissal Smith had a chat with the non-striker and also looked towards the dressing room for a clue. However, he was suddenly stopped by the on-field umpires and the Indian players including skipper Virat Kohli weren’t happy with this gesture from Smith. #PAGE_BREAK# Glenn Maxwell mocks Virat Kohli’s shoulder injury in BGT 2017 Another controversy took place during the 2017 BGT when Glenn Maxwell mocked Virat Kohli’s shoulder injury. During the third Test in Ranchi, Indian skipper Virat Kohli injured his shoulder while diving to save a boundary in the first innings and was forced to leave the field. Now, as India were batting after Australia posted 451 on board, Maxwell, who struck his maiden Test hundred also did a brilliant job while fielding by saving a boundary through a dive. After that, Maxwell put a hand on his right shoulder, mocking Kohli who got injured in the same way. However, coming to bat in the second innings, when Ravindra Jadeja bowled David Warner out for 14 runs, Kohli repeated the same gesture by Maxwell by patting aggressively on his shoulder. #PAGE_BREAK# Virat Kohli showing middle-finger to Australian crowd in BGT 2011-12 The young and energetic Virat Kohli was on his first Test tour to Australia during the BGT 2011-12. During the second Test of the series in Sydney, the Australian crowd was constantly booing Kohli from the stands. In reply, the 24-year-old replied by showing a middle-finger towards the crowd. The reaction from Kohli raised a controversy and his picture of showing a middle finger was on the front page of the newspapers the next day. As an consequence, Kohli was fined 50% of his match fee. #PAGE_BREAK# Poor and biased umpiring to favour Australia in Sydney in BGT 2007-08 The Indian team became a victim of poor umpiring that took the match away from their hands in Sydney during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2007-08. So many decisions were manipulated against the Indian team either during their batting or bowling. The helpless Indian side had no other option apart from accepting the umpire's decision. Eventually, Australia ended up winning the match by 122 runs, and went on to win the four match Test series by 2-1. After the match, Indian skipper Anil Kumble also alleged that only one team played with the spirit of the game.

Follow Us

Top 5 biggest controversies in Border-Gavaskar Trophy