From Shikhar Dhawan’s gestures mocking an injured Shane Watson in 2013 to David Warner’s controversy as the official instigator in 2014-15, the rivalry between India and Australia has undergone a significant evolution. On-field clashes, which at times bordered on physical confrontation, have given way to a more respectful, albeit still intense, dynamic.
A key turning point was the ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town. From that moment on, the relationship between both teams seemed to change.
In last year’s World Cup, India’s captain Virat Kohli asked fans to stop booing Steven Smith, showing a change in attitude and respect among the players.
Before the start of the 2020-21 Test series, the question has been raised as to whether this new respect could affect the intensity of the matches. Kohli, when questioned about the better relationships, attributed this change to several factors, including the growing collaboration in the IPL and the maturity of the players.
This year has also made people realize that many things might not have been necessary in the past, where you hold grudges and have unnecessary tension between teams and individuals, which is absolutely useless.
Virat Kohli
Australia, following the Cape Town incident, has recognized the need to improve its behavior, seeking a balance between competitiveness and sportsmanship. Kohli highlights that players now prioritize the quality of the game, setting aside unnecessary tensions.
The Indian captain also acknowledged that Australia’s attitude has changed “to some extent”.
The intensity on the field remains, but the unnecessary has been filtered out, fostering greater respect among the teams. Kohli emphasizes that the game should be competitive, with moments of tension and excitement, but without descending into the personal.
The maturity of the players, with more years of career, has also influenced the making of smarter decisions to maintain the quality of cricket.
Kohli, known for his competitive character, has been praised for his approach. He explains that the players understand that their priority is the team and that aggressiveness on the field is part of the game, but without compromising sportsmanship.
The key, according to Kohli, lies in maintaining the dignity of the sport and competitiveness at the highest level. The rivalry between India and Australia remains intense, but with a renewed focus on respect and the quality of cricket.
