10 instances when Indian cricketers made opponents deeply regret sledging them
Sledging has been an integral part of the game since ages and has only increased as time has passed on. It is a tactic commonly used by the bowling side to get under the skin of the opposition batsmen and push them into losing their wicket.However, this iconic tactic, of which the Australian cricket team are pioneers, has ended up backfiring on several occasions and has led to dire consequences for teams using it. A number of such instances have involved Indian cricketers and they have paid the opposition back with interest.Here are 10 memorable instances when opponents deeply regretted sledging Indian cricketers:
#10 Glenn McGrath learns why not to sledge Sachin Tendulkar
The 2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia was a memorable one for numerous reasons. However, there is one event that occurred involving two icons of the game from either country which not many may remember.
The 3rd Test in Chennai was the decider as both teams had won a Test each. A Matthew Hayden double century ensured that Australia scored 391 in their first innings. In response, India batted even better and put on a formidable 501 on the board courtesy of a Sachin Tendulkar ton.
At one stage in Sachin’s innings, Glenn McGrath bowled a barrage of bouncers at the great man and asked him to hook the ball to the fence. The Indian genius was unmoved and kept his concentration going as he knew he was the key for his team.
However, when McGrath returned to bowl his next spell, Sachin Tendulkar was ready with his response and hammered a pull which flew to the boundary. He followed it up with two smooth cover drives, the second of which prompted the bowler to imitate the shot in his follow-through.
The Indians won the Test and completed a historic series win over the Australians.