The rivalry between India and Australia in cricket has historically been intense, with moments that bordered on physical confrontation. However, there seems to be an evolution in the relationship between the two teams. From the provocative gestures of Shikhar Dhawan and David Warner, to the on-field confrontations, the tension between both teams was palpable. A turning point was the ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town. From then on, a change in dynamics was observed. The 2018-19 series was less contentious, with a more relaxed atmosphere. India captain Virat Kohli even asked fans to stop booing Steven Smith, showing mutual respect between the players. Before the start of the 2020-21 test series, the question arose as to whether this new respect would compromise the intensity of the game. Kohli explained that the relationship between the teams has improved because many players play together in the IPL, which allows them to get to know each other better. Also, the players are now more mature and aware of their place in the world. Australia has recognized the need to improve its behavior, seeking a balance between competitiveness and sportsmanship.
Kohli believes the game has become less personal, prioritizing the quality of cricket. Although the competition remains high, the unnecessary has been filtered out.This year has also made people realize that many things might not have been necessary in the past, where you held grudges and had unnecessary tensions between teams and individuals, which is absolutely useless.
Virat Kohli
