Thursday, 19 September 2024
Thursday, 19 September 2024
The ongoing war of words between Yograj Singh and MS Dhoni is one of several feuds in Indian cricket. Yograj, a former cricketer and father of Yuvraj Singh and known for his fiery outbursts, took aim at both Dhoni and Kapil Dev on Sunday accusing Dhoni of sabotaging his son's career and criticizing Kapil for failing to support deserving players.
But this isn't an isolated incident. Indian cricket has seen its fair share of public spats, from the rift between Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli to the infamous Ganguly-Shastri fallout. These conflicts, often rooted in leadership disputes or perceived favoritism, have shaped the narrative of Indian cricket just as much as the on-field action.
Gambhir vs Kohli: The IPL showdown that never ends
IPL 2023. Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli, two fiery competitors, reignited their feud in a way that had fans glued to their screens. The first leg saw Lucknow SuperGiants (LSG) steal a win from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Chinnaswamy. Gambhir, mentor of the LSG, silenced the crowd in a provocative manner. When the teams met again, in Lucknow, the tension boiled over. RCB captain Kohli’s intense send-offs and Gambhir’s post-match face-off created the perfect recipe for entertainment.
But this wasn’t their first showdown. The roots of their animosity trace back to the 2013 IPL. On that occasion, Kohli’s dismissal prompted Gambhir to make a provocative gesture, igniting Kohli’s ire. The ensuing on-field confrontation was so heated that Rajat Bhatia, then with KKR, had to intervene to prevent a physical altercation.
Gambhir vs Dhoni: Two leaders, two worlds apart
The Gambhir-Dhoni rivalry is a story of clashing styles and philosophies that has defined Indian cricket. Gambhir, with his fiery demeanor and blunt criticisms, stood in stark contrast to Dhoni's unflappable calm. Their rivalry first flared during the 2008 Test series against Australia, where Gambhir’s fiery run-out spat with the Aussies became infamous. In the 2012 CB Series in Australia, a crucial meeting between captain MS Dhoni and senior players Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, and Sachin Tendulkar—who were all in their mid-to-late 30s—set the stage for a significant discussion. Dhoni voiced his intention to infuse the squad with younger talent in preparation for the 2015 World Cup, expressing concern that playing all three seniors might compromise the team's future prospects.
Gambhir questioned why the 2015 World Cup was being discussed three years ahead of time. Despite the tension, all three seniors participated in the series. Gambhir emerged as the second-highest run-scorer, behind Virat Kohli, while Sehwag and Tendulkar struggled to find form. India’s campaign ended in disappointment with Sri Lanka and Australia contesting the final.
Post-series, Gambhir played about 20 more ODIs, and Sehwag around 10, before both were sidelined.
Yograj Singh vs Dhoni: The fiery critic who won't back down
Yograj Singh has not minced words when it comes to criticizing MS Dhoni. His discontent, particularly aimed at Dhoni's captaincy decisions and the treatment of his son, has been a persistent theme. Yograj has repeatedly blasted Dhoni for allegedly sidelining Yuvraj, arguing that his son, a key figure in India’s 2011 World Cup triumph, was not given the opportunities he deserved under Dhoni's leadership.
Yograj’s criticism reached a fever pitch in interviews and on social media, where he has passionately voiced his frustrations. Despite this barrage of criticism, Dhoni has opted for a dignified silence.
Sreesanth vs Harbhajan: The slap that shocked the IPL
The inaugural IPL season in 2008 was a showcase of cricketing thrills, but it was marred by the notorious “slapgate” scandal. The drama unfolded after a fiery encounter between Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians. Following the match, a confrontation between Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth escalated into an altercation, with Harbhajan slapping Sreesanth, which left the fast bowler shaken and in tears on the field.
The BCCI suspended Harbhajan for the remainder of the tournament. Despite attempts by both players to downplay the incident in the years since, the haunting image of Sreesanth’s tear-streaked face remains a vivid chapter in IPL history, emblematic of the intense rivalries and drama that define the league.
Sehwag vs Dhoni: Aggression vs calm in a battle of styles
The friction between Virender Sehwag and MS Dhoni was palpable throughout their careers. The first signs of discord surfaced during the 2009 T20 World Cup when Dhoni, in a press conference, made a terse remark about Sehwag’s shoulder injury, suggesting reporters should consult the physio. This comment stirred rumors of a rift between the two senior players.
The tension escalated during the 2012 CB Series in Australia. Dhoni’s decision to rotate senior players for younger talent was not well communicated. Sehwag, caught off guard, criticized the policy in a press conference, expressing frustration over not being informed directly. His comment, “Did you see my catch? We are the same for the last ten years,” underscored his displeasure with Dhoni’s handling of the rotation.
Dhoni later sought to calm the situation by asserting there was no rift, but the damage was done. Sehwag’s omission of Dhoni’s name from his farewell speech kept the speculation alive.
Ganguly vs Shastri: The power struggle behind the scenes
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly and former all-rounder and India coach, Ravi Shastri have had a strained relationship marked by public statements. The clash between the duo first surfaced when Ganguly responded sharply to Shastri's criticisms about the coach selection process in 2016. Shastri, overlooked for the Indian coach role in favor of Anil Kumble, took a swipe at Ganguly, accusing him of disrespecting the selection process by not attending the crucial interview meeting.
Ganguly fired back, explaining his absence was due to a prior CAB meeting and that the timing of Shastri’s interview was adjusted accordingly. He called Shastri’s remarks “personal” and questioned Shastri’s seriousness, pointing out that Shastri was on holiday in Bangkok during his interview. This public feud tainted their reputations and overshadowed Kumble’s appointment, casting a shadow of doubt over the selection process in Indian cricket.
The tension reached new heights of drama when Shastri was appointed head coach of the Indian team in 2017. The media stoked the flames, portraying them as adversaries with contrasting visions for Indian cricket. Their rivalry became even more apparent after the 2021 T20 World Cup, with Ganguly hinting at changes needed in the coaching staff.
Kapil Dev vs Sunil Gavaskar: When legends disagree
The rivalry between Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar, two of India’s cricketing giants, is a tale of contrasting personalities and leadership styles. Kapil’s instinctive, aggressive captaincy often clashed with Gavaskar’s meticulous and traditional approach. The 1987 World Cup brought these differences to the forefront, with tensions over team strategy and performance.
The feud escalated further as during a tense Test match against England, India found themselves chasing a manageable target. With a solid foundation laid by the top-order, a win seemed within reach. But India lost the match as Kapil Dev and Sandeep Patil played reckless shots, leading to India’s collapse.
Captain Sunil Gavaskar, frustrated by the irresponsible play, was vocal about his displeasure. In response, the selectors dropped Kapil and Patil for the Kolkata Test. This decision sparked outrage among the Kolkata crowd, who directed their anger at Gavaskar, resulting in a public spectacle. Gavaskar vowed never to play in Kolkata again, and true to his word, he never returned to the city for a match. The controversy fueled speculation that Gavaskar had influenced the selectors to drop Kapil. The episode remains a contentious chapter in Indian cricket history.
Gavaskar vs Kohli: A generational clash
When Sunil Gavaskar, a cricketing legend turned commentator, critiques Virat Kohli, one of the modern greats, it’s bound to make headlines. Gavaskar’s old-school approach to the game often puts him at odds with Kohli’s aggressive style. From questioning Kohli’s captaincy in ICC tournaments to critiquing his strategic decisions, Gavaskar hasn’t held back. Kohli, never one to shy away from a challenge, has defended his choices in face of Gavaskar’s criticism, emphasizing the need for a modern approach.
During a heated post-match presentation after the clash between Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bangalore, the tension between Virat Kohli and Sunil Gavaskar reached a new high. Kohli had just led his team to victory with an explosive 70 off 44 balls, chasing down 206 runs in just 16 overs. When questioned about ongoing debates surrounding his strike rate, Kohli didn’t hold back. He remarked, “If you’ve never been in that situation yourself, talking about the game from the box isn’t the same thing. For me, it’s just about doing my job. People can talk, but for me, it’s muscle memory now.”
Gavaskar, clearly unimpressed, responded sharply during the post-match show. He took aim at Kohli’s comments, saying, "These guys always say they don’t care about outside noise, but then why respond to it? We’ve all played cricket—not a lot, but enough. We speak on what we see, without any agendas or biases. Even if we have preferences, we speak on what’s actually happening.”
Kohli vs Kumble: The coach-captain rift that shook Indian cricket
Tensions first emerged during India’s tour of the West Indies in 2017, where newly-appointed coach Kumble supported Cheteshwar Pujara despite then-captain Kohli's criticism of Pujara's slow scoring. Pujara was dropped from the team after the series. The friction continued in the Australia Test series when Kumble pushed for Kuldeep Yadav to replace an injured Kohli, a move that proved successful but further highlighted their differences.
Despite early success under Kumble’s coaching, differences in their approach became apparent, with Kohli favoring a more aggressive, flexible strategy while Kumble adhered to a traditional, disciplined methodology. The tension peaked during the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, leading to Kumble’s resignation as head coach.
Kumble expressed confusion in his resignation letter about Kohli's reservations, which may have stemmed from the strict routines Kumble enforced, contrasting with the more relaxed atmosphere under Ravi Shastri.
These spats, while often controversial, have added a layer of drama to Indian cricket, captivating fans and shaping the narrative of the sport in the country. Each of these rivalries, with its unique dynamics, reminds us that cricket is more than just a game—it’s a story of human emotions, conflicts, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
