Border-Gavaskar Trophy: From Mankading to Racism - controversies in India-Australia bilateral cricket

Border-Gavaskar Trophy: From Mankading to Racism - controversies in India-Australia bilateral cricket

Until the turn of the century, the India-Australia Test series had been mostly lopsided. India did win sometimes at home, but overall they were the underdogs. Then, the VVS Laxman magic at Eden Gardens happened. The new India under Sourav Ganguly were ready to challenge the Aussie might. It eventually became a battle of equals and as it happens in a high-octane affair, controversies have been more frequent.

Siraj facing racial slurs

It happened during India’s last tour of Australia in 2020-21. During the third Test in Sydney, a group of spectators hurled racist abuse towards Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah. Initially, Siraj ignored it. But the wretched group was not going to stop and the fast bowler reported the incident to his captain Ajinkya Rahane, who in turn took the matter to the on-field umpires. Six spectators were ejected from the stadium and the game was stopped. The Cricket Australia later offered an unequivocal apology.

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Monkeygate scandal

To this day, it remains one of the most controversial incidents in the game’s history. In 2008, during the second Test between India and Australia in Sydney, Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds got involved in a verbal altercation. Symonds later alleged that the Indian off-spinner racially abused him, referring to him as a “monkey”. India vehemently denied the allegation, but match referee Mike Procter handed Harbhajan a three-match ban. It put the series on the line, as the tourists were reportedly ready to return home. The matter went before an ICC commission, where the ban was rescinded. Sachin Tendulkar’s testimony played a big part.

Steve Smith’s ‘brainfade’

The India-Australia series in 2017 was attritional. Australia won the first Test in Pune and were looking well-placed in their fourth innings chase in Bangalore, when Smith had a “brainfade” moment. The Australia captain seemingly sought assistance from the dressing-room after being given out leg-before, thinking whether to take the DRS. Later, at the press conference, Kohli had hit out at Smith, just stopping short of calling the latter a cheat. India eventually went on to win the Test and they ended up winning the series 2-1.

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Gavaskar vs Lillee

It was a time when Australia considered themselves superior. India weren’t a cricketing superpower. In 1980-81, Sunil Gavaskar’s infamous walkout at the MCG almost took India on the verge of forfeiting the third Test. After falling prey to an atrocious lbw decision from umpire Rex Whitehead, Gavaskar, then India captain, started walking towards the pavilion and directed his opening partner Chetan Chauhan to join him. India’s team manager Shahid Durrani’s intervention calmed the situation. He asked Chauhan to continue playing, rather than India forfeiting the game and the tourists went on to win the Test. Later, Gavaskar clarified that Dennis Lillee’s verbal abuse and the way his teammates behaved made him take the drastic step.

Mankading

It was India's first tour of Australia, in 1947-48. In the second Test in Sydney, Vinoo Mankad paused in his delivery stride and ran-out Australia’s Bill Brown at the non-striker’s end. It infuriated the Australian media and Mankad was accused of not adhering to the spirit of the game. Australia captain Don Bradman, however, saw nothing wrong in the dismissal and defended the Indian all-rounder.

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