The final Test of the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia will be played tomorrow, January 3, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Along with many exciting matches, some controversies are also recorded on this historic ground, which will always be remembered in the history of cricket. Out of these controversies, two incidents are deeply imprinted in the hearts and minds of Indian fans.
An incident is from the early phase of Virat Kohli’s career, when he showed the middle finger to the audience. The second incident is the famous ‘Monkeygate scandal’ of 2008, which shook the relations between India and Australia. Let us look at these two controversies.
1. Virat Kohli and the middle finger controversy (2012)
On India’s tour of Australia in 2012, Virat Kohli’s aggressive nature made headlines in international cricket for the first time.
- Event Details:
During the match played in Sydney, Kohli was abused and harassed by the Australian spectators while fielding on the boundary line.
Losing his cool on this, Virat showed the middle finger to the audience. - Controversy and punishment:
This action immediately caused controversy.- Considering it against the spirit of the game, ICC fined Virat 50% of his match fee.
- However, this incident was so serious that there was a possibility of Virat being banned.
- Virat’s reaction:
Recalling the incident in an interview with Wisden, Kohli said:
“I got irritated by the crowd and showed my finger. The match referee called me the next day and placed that picture in the newspaper in front of me. I immediately apologized and said, ‘Please don’t ban me.'”
This incident was one of the early mistakes in Virat Kohli’s career, which taught him to control his anger.
2. Monkeygate scandal (2008)
The ‘Monkeygate scandal’ that occurred in the Sydney Test during the 2008 India–Australia tour is one of the most controversial chapters in Indian cricket history.
- What happened:
There was an argument between India’s spinner Harbhajan Singh and Australia’s all-rounder Andrew Symonds.- Harbhajan called Symonds ‘your mother’.
- Symonds mistook it for ‘monkey’ and accused it of being a racial slur.
- Scope of the dispute:
- The matter escalated so much that it reached the Sydney court.
- ICC banned Harbhajan for three test matches.
- BCCI’s strict stance:
BCCI adopted a strict attitude in support of Harbhajan.- The Indian team threatened to leave the tour midway.
- After this the ban imposed on Harbhajan was lifted.
Impact of these controversies on cricket
- Virat Kohli controversy:
This incident symbolizes his aggressive attitude and early career mistakes.
However, Kohli later took it as a learning experience. - Monkeygate scandal:
This incident was a major incident that created a rift in India-Australia cricket relations.
After this, the style of play between the two teams changed and this series became more competitive.
