From the moment Shikhar Dhawan mocked an injured Shane Watson in 2013, to the stage where David Warner was the official provocateur on the 2014-15 tour, the rivalry between India and Australia has been intense. It has gone through moments of tension, including battles on the field even after the tragic death of Phillip Hughes.
There was a time when the rivalry between India and Australia seemed on the verge of coming to blows. India’s tour of Australia in 2018-19 promised to be the most tense, but the ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town changed the course.
That series was characterized by friendly banter, unlike the hostility that had become common in matches between India and Australia. Later, during the World Cup, India’s 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 the mutual respect between these teams will compromise the intensity of the matches.
On the eve of the first Test in Adelaide, Kohli spoke about the reasons for the improvement in relations, attributing it to the fact that both teams play together a lot in the IPL, which allows them to get to know each other better. In addition, the players are now more mature and secure in their place in the world.
Since the Cape Town incident, Australia has recognized the need to improve its behavior, seeking a balance between competitiveness and sportsmanship. This year, people have reevaluated their priorities, realizing how unnecessary certain tensions were.
It’s a combination of all those factors. I think this year has also made people realize that a lot of things might not have been necessary in the past, where you held grudges and had unnecessary tensions between teams and individuals, which is absolutely pointless.
Virat Kohli
Kohli stated that things will no longer be as personal as before, understanding that they are contributing to a greater cause, where the quality of cricket must stand out. Aggressiveness and positivity on the field will be maintained, but unnecessary actions will be avoided.
Kohli also acknowledged that Australia has changed “to some extent”, attributing it to playing together in the IPL, to Australia’s change of focus, and to the perspective that this year has brought. The unnecessary has been filtered out, and there is more respect between the teams. Cricket will continue to be competitive, with tension and emotions, but without becoming personal.
Kohli, appreciated in Australia for his attitude, believes that players are maturing and making better decisions to maintain the quality of cricket. He acknowledges the right of the media to perceive things as they wish, but for the players, the important thing is to give their best for the team. At the highest level, the quality of cricket cannot be compromised.
Kohli emphasizes that the game will remain competitive, with difficult moments, but without disrespect. Appreciation for performance and character will be shown at the end of the five days, and on the field, the intensity will be high. The rivalry between India and Australia will remain as competitive as ever.
In short, the game will be tough, but fair. How Australian can Kohli be?
