5 biggest fights in IPL history

It is short and swift and with the game changing with the unfailing volatility of an ocean current, the IPL has witnessed more than a fair share of burnt fuses. The money and madness that surrounds a circus of this nature only serves to accentuate and nourish the ego of players. In this feature we look at some of the most sensational scuffles that erupted in the heat of the battle.These are incidents that held a mirror to the volatile character of the people involved, just as much as they offered us undiluted entertainment, real time and impulsive.

#5 Shane Warne and Sourav Ganguly, IPL 2008

This one is from the very first edition. Considering the legends involved, it also deserves to etched in wrought iron on the annals of IPL history. Sourav Ganguly of the Kolkata Knight Riders was thought to have been caught by Graeme Smith at deep midwicket. The former Indian captain though was not convinced, illegitimately forcing the umpires to ask for a replay.

Ganguly’s actions had already infuriated Warne and when third umpire Asad Rauf could not offer a decisive verdict, the Aussie just blew his top. Eventually, Ganguly departed in the next over to an unceremonious send off and Rajasthan Royals won the match. But Warne carried on his tirade into the media to express his displeasure with the KKR captain.

"If an international captain like Graeme Smith caught it and said it was a clean catch and Rudi Koertzen said he caught it,” underlined Warne. “And anyway, the players aren't allowed to ask for the umpire. But Sourav asked the Indian umpire to go to the TV replay. That's not in the spirit of the game so I was very, very disappointed with Sourav."

The match referee Farokh Engineer, docked 10% match fee from both Ganguly and Warne for their acts – the former for a level 1 offense and the latter was found to violate section 1.7 of the code, related to "public criticism of, or inappropriate comment on, a match-related incident or official".

Incidentally even the on field umpire Pratap Kumar wasn’t spared. He was suspended for a match on grounds of referring a decision without adequate reason, making him the second umpire to have been punished in the 2008 IPL after Amiesh Saheba.

#4 Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir, IPL 2013

This was an incident between two hot blooded young men with immeasurable talent and matching egos. Virat Kohli struck Pradeep Sangwan for two sixes and perished when he tried to make it three in a row. The Kolkata Knight Riders were elated to see the back of Kohli, but the exuberant celebration ruffled the departing batsman.

Kohli exploded into the KKR team with a gushing mouthful of choice expletives. Not to be left behind, Gambhir shot back with gusto even as walked menacingly toward Kohli. The testosterone filled sight of two outstanding batsman raging at each other did a world of good to the TRP hungry television producers.

But neither batsman did any good to the game they pursue. Incidentally, the two play for the same domestic teams from Delhi and North Zone down to their employer ONGC. But off the field, both players played down the incident and admitted to a Level One offence (Article 2.1.4) for using language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during the match.

#3 Kieron Pollard and Shane Watson IPL 2013

The incident between Pollard, who is a repeat offender and Watson needs to make this list for its sustained intensity. It was a match between the Mumbai Indians and the Rajasthan Royals, where Pollard sang some unpleasant tunes to Watson, soon as he came in to bat.

Not happy with the effect on Watson, the West Indian continued his tirade while bowling at the batsman. An incensed Watson walked up to the umpire Asad Rauf to complain and the officials sought the help of Rohit Sharma to diffuse the situation.

Eventually, Watson who arrived in the fifth over fell to a catch by Pollard in the tenth over. That was reason enough to engage in some more conversation with the Aussie who left the field feeling very miffed.

The battle then shifted to the dugout, where Watson was sitting. Strengthened in spirit by the presence of his team mates, Watson gave a mouthful to Pollard who was fielding at long on. As things started to escalate Rahul Dravid was forced to order Watson into the dressing room from the dug-out, making this perhaps the longest on field rift in IPL history.

#2 Kieron Pollard and Mitchell Starc IPL 2014

It appears Pollard has a genetic dislike for Australian cricketers. As if his spat with Watson wasn’t ugly enough, the Windies player went a step further in the seventh edition of the IPL. In a match between Mumbai and Royal Challengers Bangalore, Pollard let his volatile temper loose again.

It was the 17th over of the Mumbai innings, Starc bowled a bouncer which flew over the tall West Indian. The Aussie let his tongue fly at Pollard, who waved him off with a brush of his palm.

The very next ball, when Starc continued with his delivery despite Pollard having pulled out from his stance, matters escalated. As soon as the ball was fired, Pollard ran menacingly towards Starc and threw his bat at the bowler.

Fortunately, he did not time the throw well enough and the bat fell quite a distance away from a shocked Starc. Pollard walked towards the umpire for a conversation about the bowler’s conduct that lead to his wild behaviour. Eventually, Chris Gayle had to walk up to his compatriot to calm matters down.

#1 Harbhajan Singh and S Sreesanth

Coming as it did in the first edition of the IPL, this has remained one of the most talked about incidents around the IPL. The incident has to be rated at the top, considering that there was actual physical contact between two national players, unlike the other scuffles which were mainly verbal.

This one happened just after Kings XI Punjab had won a match against Mumbai Indians. The incident created such a big furore that it ended up in the creation of a judicial probe to resolve the issue. It is believed that Sreesanth needled Harbhajan about the loss and an incensed Bhajji landed the back of his hand to slap the bowler from Kerala.

Though the actual incident was never aired or seen, the images of a bitterly tearful Sreesanth occupied television screens and print media for a long time. Social media picked up the incident and kept it fuelled for some more time.