From the verbal clashes between Shikhar Dhawan and Shane Watson in 2013, to David Warner’s provocative attitude on the 2014-15 tour, the rivalry between India and Australia has had intense moments. There was a time when the tension on the field was about to come to blows.India’s series in Australia in 2018-19 promised to be the most contentious, but the ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town changed the course of the situation.The subsequent series was characterized by an exchange of friendly banter, very different from the hostility that used to accompany the clashes between both teams. Later, during the World Cup, the Indian captain, Virat Kohli, asked Indian fans to stop booing Steven Smith, who was returning to the field after serving his suspension.Before the start of the 2020-21 test series, some wonder if this new respect between the teams will compromise the intensity and integrity of the matches.On the eve of the first match in Adelaide, Kohli explained that the better relationship between the teams is because they play together in the IPL and know each other better. In addition, the players are more mature and aware of their place in the world.After the Cape Town incident, Australia acknowledged its behavior and strived to find a balance between competitiveness and exemplary conduct. Kohli pointed out that this year has led people to reconsider their priorities and realize that certain attitudes were unnecessary.
Kohli added that, although professionalism and aggression on the field will remain important, personal attitude has changed, as it is understood that one contributes to a greater cause. The quality of cricket should be the most important thing.It’s a combination of all those factors. This year has also made people realize that many things might not have been necessary in the past, where grudges are held and there is unnecessary tension between teams and individuals, which is absolutely useless.
Virat Kohli
