Top 5 instances when the Indian players sledged their opponents

The Indian cricket team has mostly remained as outsiders when it comes to sledging, especially during the 20th century. This strategy has come down from some legendary cricketers who played for India in the past. Kapil Dev and Rahul Dravid are the best examples.

However, the current Indian team has used it as a tool to break opponents concentration and it was evident in the ongoing series between Australia and India. Rishabh Pant tried to unsettle the Australian batsman with some cheeky comments from behind the stumps.

The impact of sledging in cricket depends on its intensity. Interactions between the players from opposite sides is not an uncommon sight in cricket. But when it crosses a particular limit, it creates chaos and may cause damage to both the players in the form of demerit points.

Here in this article, we take a look at the 5 Indian cricketers who involved in sledging their opponents.

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#5 Yuvraj Singh

Andrew Flintoff's words to Yuvraj Singh proved very costly for the England side.

Being from Punjab, aggression flows in Yuvraj Singh’s veins along with the blood and is known for his aggressive approach. It once proved very costly for the England side in a Twenty20 game.

During the 2007 T20 World Cup, England’s cricketer Andrew Flintoff tried to sledge Yuvraj Singh who was at the striker’s end along with Mahendra Singh Dhoni. This led to a fight between the 2 players. But the result of this sledging was unimaginable from England’s point of view.

Yuvraj Singh playing fearlessly and smashed six sixes in six balls in Stuart Broad's over, immediately after the sledging incident with Andrew Flintoff. This incident proved to be a historic one for Yuvraj Singh.

#4 Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds exchanging some words in a Test match.

Another cricketer from Punjab who had a golden cricketing career. His career had some good as well as bad memories. Some of the bad ones are those sledging incidents which later on led to a fight.

Nicknamed Bhajji, Harbhajan Singh is also known as one of the most aggressive players of the Indian cricket team. During the Test series between India and Australia in 2008, Bhajji became a part of a sledging event which initially got him banned for three matches.

While batting along with Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan tried to smash a four, but the ball went into Lee’s hand and Andrew Symonds hailed it as his hard luck. This led to a heated conversation between these two players. In reply to Symond’s sledging, Harbhajan addressed him as Monkey for the second time which resulted in a three-match ban.

#3 Robin Uthappa

Robin Uthappa sledged Matthew Hayden during the 2007 T20 World Cup.

Robin Uthappa didn’t have a consistent career while donning the Indian jersey at the international level. Robin hasn’t played a lot of matches for India, but when he played, he made sure to leave a lasting impact on the cricketing world.

Robin Uthappa made his presence felt during the 2007 T20 World Cup by knocking the bails off during the shootout between India and Pakistan. Apart from this, the sledging incident between Robin Uthappa and Matthew Hayden was one of the highlights of that tournament.

During the match, Robin was looking at Hayden who was at the striker’s end with some serious eyes. In reply, Hayden asked why he was looking at him. He also added, “Give me some respect as I have played international cricket for 11 years.” This conversation went on to a higher stage involving some critical statements from Robin’s side as the Indian youngster said that “Respect is not given, its earned.”

#2 Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly sledged Andrew Flintoff in a unique way.

The historic sledging event between Sourav Ganguly and Andrew Flintoff has been framed in the minds of every cricket fan all around the world. This incident shook all the Indian fans as they saw a completely different side of Saurav Ganguly.

The incident took place during England’s tour of India in the year 2001. At that time, Andrew Flintoff was the captain of the England side who somehow managed to draw the 6 matches ODI series by 3-3. Being overjoyed by this win, Flintoff took off his shirt and ran around on the whole ground with a loud roar, full of rage and anger.

However, in return, Ganguly gave an epic reply to Flintoff when India traveled to England in 2002. When India won the final of Natwest Series in England, Sourav Ganguly did the same thing from the balcony of Lords. Dada took off his t-shirt and waved it in the air answering Flintoff in the best manner.

#1 Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli gave a savage reply to James Faulkner's sledging.

Virat Kohli is the first name which comes to everyone’s mind when we talk about aggression and sledging. Kohli is a cricketer who is too passionate about winning a match. He has a never-ending hunger for runs which makes him the best cricketer of the present world.

Virat is a player who never steps back when it comes to sledging. He will never initiate the matter but when the fire sparks, he won’t leave it simply. This clearly reflects in the incident which took place between Kohli and Faulkner during an ODI match between India and Australia.

Faulkner stated that Virat cannot score runs off his bowling. However, in return, Virat gave an epic reply which completely shut Faulkner’s mouth. Virat stated that “I have smashed you enough in my life. There is no point in wasting energy so just go and bowl.”