Sledging has almost become a part of strategy in modern cricket where teams deploy it to turn the match around. There have been many such instances among major teams in world cricket where we see a player trying to sledge the other at a crucial juncture in an important match.
The latest incident involving Ashwin and Anderson where both were a part of a heated argument in the 4th Test at Mumbai, brought back memories of some iconic sledging instances against Indian cricketers. Indians were not only unaffected by the instigation but also answered back in style through their performances. Here are 5 instances where Indian players gave a perfect reply to sledging:
#1 Sreesanth and Andre Nel
India’s tour of South Africa in 2001 was keenly anticipated by all cricket fans as it promised not only entertainment but also tough battles. It was the first Test and India put on a great show getting a lead of 165 runs from the first innings after they dismissed South Africa for a meagre 84 courtesy a five-wicket haul by Sreesanth. However, it was his aggressive act in the second innings that stole the limelight.
Sreesanth came out to bat when India was struggling at 219-9 and was involved in a conversation with Andre Nel who was bowling at that time. There were words exchanged between them and Nel tried to distract Sreesanth in order to clean up the Indian batting.
“I can smell blood. You do not have the guts,” said Nel. Showing his emblem on the shirt, Nel added, “I am playing for this. You are a scared fellow, rabbit. I will get you next ball.” What followed next was a historical moment which is etched in the memory of every Indian cricket fan.
Sreesanth made room on the very next ball and smashed Nel for a six over his head and followed that by a fashionable celebration. It was a memorable moment in the match which India won eventually by 123 runs.
#2 Yuvraj and Flintoff
The inaugural T-20 World Cup in South Africa not only provided thrilling cricket but also brought to light instances of aggression and passion. Yuvraj Singh, India’s hero in the World Cup win was involved in one of these instances.
India was facing England in a must-win match in Group E in Durban where the action unfolded. India got off to a good start riding on half-centuries from Sehwag and Gambhir. English bowlers were frustrated and Flintoff lost his cool when Yuvraj was batting. There was an altercation between the two which was put to rest by the umpire.
However, Yuvraj had some other plans and he decided to silent Flintoff with his bat. It was poor Stuart Broad who had to face the brunt of Yuvraj’s wrath. the Southpaw smashed him for 6 sixes in the over and created history by becoming one of the four batsmen in the world to do so.
Flintoff was silenced in style and India eventually won the match by 18 runs.
#3 Venkatesh Prasad and Aamir Sohail
The stage was set for the second quarter final of the 1996 World Cup where arch-rivals India and Pakistan were set to battle it out. The atmosphere was heated and one could easily sense the tension. India put on an exemplary batting display and amassed 287 runs in their fifty overs which Pakistan had to chase.
Aamir Sohail, who was the stand-in captain for Pakistan in that match, immaturely threw words at Prasad after he hit him for a boundary on the off-side when he was batting at 51. He attempted to sledge Prasad by showing him the bat and signalling that he will hit him for another boundary.
Prasad walked back silently without commenting only to answer him with his next ball. He bowled Sohail and uprooted his leg stump in classic fashion leaving him speechless.
The total proved too much for the Pakistan batsman to chase and India won the match easily by 39 runs much to the joy of the Indian fans.
#4 Shoaib Akhtar and Harbhajan Singh
Sledging is a common sight in an India-Pakistan encounter. The intensity and passion among the players is high and matches are fought hard. One instance of sledging occurred when India faced Pakistan in a crucial match of Asia Cup 2010 in Dambulla.
Pakistan, while batting first, put up a decent score of 267 on the board for India to chase. The chase was going to be interesting considering the quality of the Indian batting line-up and Pakistan bowling. The match went down to the wire with Harbhajan and Gambhir at the crease and India needing 7 to win from the last over with 3 wickets in hand.
Shoaib Akhtar, who bowled the second last over of the match, lost his cool and had a heated conversation with Harbhajan Singh. It was Singh, however, who had the last laugh. He smashed Mohammed Amir for a huge six over mid-on helping his team register a monumental win.
It was a sight to behold as the whole stadium erupted in joy and the team members celebrated the win in an emphatic fashion.
#5 Sourav Ganguly and Stuart Broad
India’s tour of England in 2007 comprising of a 7 match ODI series was a treat for the cricket fans as they got to witness some quality cricket on display. However, it was the 6th ODI at the Oval that became popular and is remembered and cherished by the fans.
England put up a big score of 316 after a magnificent batting display from Owais Shah, Kevin Pietersen and Wright. Ganguly and Tendulkar while opening the innings and making use of the powerplay, fired with the bat and gave India a rock solid start. Just when things were going smoothly, Broad tried to sledge Ganguly by provoking him to paly a shot. The conversation was calmed by the umpires and the match progressed.
However, Broad did not have a very good time after he tried to instigate Ganguly by mincing words with him. He was hit for a six over the head on the very first ball of the next over by the Prince of Kolkata that not only silenced him but also brought energy to the stadium.
India eventually won the match by 2 wickets and 2 balls remaining.
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