From the moments of tension on the field to the evolution of the rivalry, the clash between India and Australia has been a source of intense emotions and memorable moments. In the past, the rivalry became extremely aggressive, with incidents like Shikhar Dhawan mocking an injured Shane Watson and David Warner acting as the official provocateur. However, after the ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town, something changed. The 2018-19 series was marked by a friendlier atmosphere, and India’s captain, Virat Kohli, even asked fans to stop booing Steven Smith, demonstrating a change in overall attitude. Before the start of the 2020-21 test series, the question arises as to whether this new respect between both teams will compromise the intensity of the matches.
A New Chapter in the Rivalry
Kohli attributes this change to several factors, including the greater number of players sharing teams in the IPL and the personal growth of the players. In addition, Australia has recognized the need to improve its behavior, seeking a balance between competitiveness and fair play.According to Kohli, the main objective is the quality of cricket. Aggressiveness and competitiveness remain essential, but personal behavior is expected to filter naturally. Kohli acknowledges that Australia has modified its approach, partly thanks to the shared experience in the IPL and a different perspective during this year. The intensity on the field will be maintained, but mutual respect is expected to prevail. Kohli emphasizes that “banter” is inevitable in high-level cricket, and that the players, now more mature, will make smarter decisions. Kohli’s relationship with Australia is highly respected and he is seen as a player who gives his best, which makes him a highly valued “non-Australian”. Kohli also addressed the perception of the players by the media, stating that the players understand what is needed for the team, maintaining aggression and competitiveness, but respecting the dignity of the sport. Appreciation for the opponent’s effort and character comes at the end of the five days of play. The goal is to make the game competitive and challenging, but always with respect. In summary, a high-tension and competitive cricket match is expected between India and Australia, but with a focus on fair play and mutual respect.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 tension between teams and individuals, which is absolutely useless.
Virat Kohli
