5 Controversial India-Australia clashes that can never be forgotten
The Indian tour of Australia is all set to commence from 21st November when the two teams meet for the first T20 International. The Indian Team is scheduled to play three T20Is, followed by a four Test Match Series and a three matches ODI series.
The entire Indian squad has already reached Australia and are prepping up for the much-anticipated clash. Aussies, known for their aggressive style of play, have already started playing mind games by making bold statements in the press conferences. However, the Indian team management also seems confident of their preparations down under.
Before the high voltage clash, let us have a look at five controversial India- Australia clashes that can never be forgotten.
#1 Monkeygate Scandal
The most controversial and talked about the match between India and Australia was played in 2008. The Indian team had gone to Australia to play a Test series. The Sydney Test in this series came to be remembered more for the drama that surrounded it rather than the on-field play itself. Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds and veteran Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh had a terrible mix up in the middle.
Symonds accused Harbhajan of passing of a racial comment. He suggested that Harbhajan had called him “monkey”. This resulted in Level 3 charge against Harbhajan and he was banned for three Tests as well as 50% of his match fees was deducted as penalty.
The Indian Cricket Team and Management were highly unimpressed with this decision. Later, on the basis of Sachin Tendulkar’s observation, Harbhajan was freed from the charges and the ban was lifted.
The incident created immense tension between both the teams and that only reflected in the Test matches to follow. Later, Symonds had to take back his acquisition which raised further eyebrows.
However, now both the teams have moved on from the incident and luckily for sports, India- Australia rivalry on the cricket field is only viewed as a game of Cricket between two top quality sides and fans and experts expect a riveting encounter each time the two teams lock horns.