India Vs Australia: Five Major Controversies That Shaped The Border-Gavaskar Trophy

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia is renowned for its thrilling cricket and fierce rivalry. However, it has also been marked by controversies that have left a lasting impact on its history.

As the five-match series starts at the Optus Stadium in Perth, we look back at five contentious moments, from racial accusations to pitch debates, that continue to shape this legendary cricket contest.

The 'Monkeygate' scandal in 2008 stands out as one of the most contentious episodes in the series. During the second Test in Sydney, Andrew Symonds accused Harbhajan Singh of making a racial slur by allegedly calling him a "monkey." This incident escalated into a significant diplomatic and cricketing crisis, straining relations between the teams. Initially, Harbhajan faced a three-match ban, but India's strong protest led to reduced charges after further investigation. The aftermath of 'Monkeygate' lingered for years, symbolising high tensions in cricket.

The same 2008 Sydney Test saw another controversy due to umpiring errors favouring Australia. Anil Kumble, India's captain at the time, famously remarked, "Only one team was playing in the spirit of the game." His comment highlighted frustration with Australia's aggressive appeals and questionable sportsmanship. Although India narrowly lost the match, it sparked widespread criticism of both officiating and Australia's conduct.

Virat Kohli's Fiery Persona Emerges

In 2012, during a series at the SCG, Virat Kohli reacted to persistent taunts from the crowd by showing his middle finger. This action resulted in an ICC fine. Kohli later defended his reaction by citing repeated abuse from spectators. This incident revealed the emotional strain of playing in hostile environments and marked the beginning of Kohli's fiery persona on the international stage.

DRS Controversy Intensifies Rivalry

The 2017 Bengaluru Test witnessed another flashpoint when Steve Smith looked towards his dressing room for guidance on a DRS call, which is against the rules. Virat Kohli accused Australia of consistently "crossing the line" with such actions. Although ICC did not penalise Smith, this controversy added fuel to an already heated series atmosphere.

Pitch Debate Overshadows Victory

The opening Test of 2017 in Pune saw India's fortress breached as Australia won by 333 runs. The pitch was rated "poor" by ICC due to excessive turn from day one, leading to a low-scoring match dominated by spinners. Critics questioned if India's strategy backfired since conditions seemed more favourable for Australia's Nathan Lyon than India's spinners.

As this year's Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins today, fans anticipate not only top-notch cricket but possibly more moments to add to this list.