The cricket fans around the world are eagerly waiting for the commencement of Border-Gavaskar trophy (BGT) 2023. Both the teams have started their preparations for the first test which will begin from February 9 in Nagpur. The clash between India and Australia has always been fascinating for the fans as they get to witness intense cricket between the quality sides. What makes India and Australia more special is the on-field banters between the players of both sides. India and Australia have often engaged in various verbal spats resulting in a high volatile drama in test cricket. Today, Khiladi Adda brings you the top five biggest fights between India and Australia ever

5. Rishabh Pant vs Tim Paine

The 2018 edition of Border-Gavaskar trophy gave rise to India’s sheer domination on Australian soil. The Indian team had a great outing as the hosts lost the four-match test series by 2-1. There were several instances where players of both sides indulged in a verbal spat. During the MCG test, Aussie skipper Tim Paine welcomed Rishabh Pant with few words telling him to babysit so that he can take his wife out for the movie.

Pant didn’t hold back as he referred Tim Paine as a temporary captain. However, things ended on a good note as Rishabh Pant went on to do his babysitter duties for Paine’s family after the MCG test.

4. Gautam Gambhir vs Shane Watson

The instance took place in 2008 during the 3rd test between India and Australia at the Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi. Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman were having a great partnership when Shane Watson displayed his arm towards Gambhir while he was running towards the non-striker end. In a response, Gambhir elbowed Watson while going for the second run. This act cost Gambhir to miss out from the last match of the series.

3. Umpiring Howlers and poor spirit of cricket by Aussies

It was 2008 and everything was going against the Indian cricket team at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The cricket fraternity witnessed one of the ugliest moments in the history of cricket. It all started with a poor decision from Steve Buckner when he raised his finger on an LBW appeal against Ricky Ponting despite an inside edge. It started getting uglier when almost every decision went against the Indian team in the rest of the test match. Whether it was Rahul Dravid getting out without nicking the ball or ignoring MS Dhoni’s stumping appeal against Andrew Symonds, the umpiring errors shocked every cricket fan.

Not only this, the poor umpiring was accompanied by Aussies poor spirit of cricket. Sourav Ganguly was given out by Ricky Ponting when he edged the ball to Michael Clarke who failed to collect the ball cleanly.

2. Andrew Symonds vs Harbhajan Singh

The 2008 Sydney test match is not only famous for umpiring howlers, it is also popular for the verbal spat between Andrew Symonds and Harbhajan Singh. Harbhajan and Sachin were having a decent partnership when Symonds sledged Harbhajan. Harbhajan immediately responded to Symonds which gave rise to a fresh controversy after the match. Symonds accused Harbhajan of racial abuse, he said that the player called him monkey during the verbal spat. The Indian team decided to pull out of the series as they saw false accusations being made against Harbhajan Singh. However, the Indian team continued to play the remaining series and gained respect from the cricket fraternity.

1. Virat Kohli vs Mitchell Johnson

The 2014 series between India and Australia gave birth to the never back down attitude of the Indian cricket team. It was the third test at MCG when the Indian team was trying to surpass the mammoth total of 530 posted by the hosts. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane were building a solid partnership when Mitchell Johnson tried to provoke Kohli by throwing the ball straight at him. Virat Kohli immediately exchanged a few words with the pacer and later smashed him all around the park. Kohli played a brilliant knock of 169 runs preventing Australia to win the match.