Cricket

Virat Kohli's Mind Games with Nathan Lyon: A Battle of Wits and Federer ForehandsSledging and psychological warfare have long been synonymous with Australian cricket. However, there are certain players who the Aussies tend to leave alone, knowing that any attempt to unsettle them only fuels their determination. Virat Kohli is one such player, and his history against Australia is a testament to his ability to rise above the noise and perform at his best.Ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, Australian spinner Nathan Lyon recalled a memorable encounter with Kohli during the 2014 Test at the Adelaide Oval. Lyon revealed that Kohli, while batting with ease, would repeatedly approach the non-striker's end and whisper "Federer.""I was like, 'Oh, okay, what's this?'" Lyon said. "He kept doing it, every time he'd come down there, he was like 'Federer, Federer.' And I said, 'Mate, I don't know if I'm wrong, but are we playing the wrong sport if you think you're Roger Federer?' And he goes, 'Nah, nah, I've got a beautiful forehand.'"Kohli's playful banter was a testament to his confidence and ability to stay focused amidst the pressure of a Test match. Despite Lyon's attempts to unsettle him, Kohli went on to score centuries in both innings, leading India to a narrow defeat by just 48 runs.Kohli's dominance in red-ball cricket in Australia is well-documented. He has scored six hundreds from 13 Tests, averaging 54.08. However, his form has dipped in recent times, with an average of just 22.72 in his six Test matches this season.After a disappointing 0-3 series loss to New Zealand at home, Kohli enters his seventh tour to Australia with a point to prove. He has scored just one fifty this year and his last Test century came in July 2023 against the West Indies.India's hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championships final rest heavily on their performance in Australia. They need to win four Tests to secure a direct berth in the final, which is scheduled to be held at Lord's in June 2025.Kohli's ability to rise above the sledging and perform at his best will be crucial to India's chances. His experience and determination will be tested once again as he faces the challenge of the Australian conditions and the relentless mind games of the home team.

Brett Lee, the legendary Australian fast bowler, has opened up about his intense on-field rivalry with former India spinner Harbhajan Singh. Lee revealed that he "hated" bowling to Harbhajan due to his constant sledging and bizarre antics.Harbhajan's tactics included incessant chatter, hopping around the crease, and even mocking Lee's pace. "He would sledge and he would hop in and going after me 'You're quick'. I could never get him; I was always exhausted," Lee recalled on the LiSTNR Sport podcast.Lee acknowledged that sledging was common in cricket, but Harbhajan's antics were particularly effective in disrupting his rhythm. "He used to annoy the hell out of me," Lee admitted. "He is an absolute legend of a bloke, but he used to frustrate the sh out of me when I bowled to him."Lee believes that the 2001 Test series, where India famously defeated Australia, was a turning point for Indian cricket. "It was them saying 'We can match Australia. Not just match; we can beat them'," Lee said.Since then, Indian players have become increasingly aggressive on the field, matching the intensity of their Australian counterparts. Lee praised Virat Kohli's leadership and MS Dhoni's quiet but determined approach."I love the way Kohli plays. He is such a good player... with that aggression," Lee said. "And you've got different guys like back in the day, MS Dhoni... didn't say anything. Just did what he had to do and wouldn't back down."Lee's comments highlight the fierce rivalry between Australia and India, which has produced some of the most memorable moments in cricket history. Despite the on-field battles, Lee holds Harbhajan in high regard, recognizing his skill and the impact he had on the game.

In the third Test of the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former Australia captain Tim Paine engaged in a verbal altercation with Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Paine's sledging stemmed from his frustration with Ashwin's consistent dismissals of him.Despite India's eventual 2-1 series victory, Paine's comments have sparked controversy. In a recent podcast, Paine defended his actions, stating that he was not targeting the Indian team as a whole but rather Ashwin specifically."I wasn't talking to the Indians, I was talking to him," Paine said. "I said we cannot wait to get you to the Gabba...because he was annoying us, fair to say."Ashwin responded to Paine's sledging in kind, saying: "Just like we wanna get you to India. That will be your last series."Paine acknowledged that his comments were directed solely at Ashwin, who ultimately withdrew from the fourth Test due to a back spasm. However, Paine questioned the severity of Ashwin's injury, noting that he had been seen jogging laps on the first day of the Test."Did I had a great game in that match? No, but I fronted up," Paine said. "Actually day one of the Test match he (Ashwin) was jogging laps. Those back spasms couldn't have been that bad."Paine's sledging has reignited the debate over the role of verbal aggression in cricket. While some argue that it can be a legitimate tactic to unsettle opponents, others believe it crosses the line of sportsmanship.Regardless of one's stance on sledging, it is clear that Paine's comments have added an extra layer of intrigue to the already intense rivalry between Australia and India.

Australian Cricketers Unanimously Crown Rishabh Pant as India's Top SledgerThe rivalry between India and Australia has always been intense, with heated moments and on-field aggression becoming commonplace. In a recent video released by Star Sports, Australian cricketers Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood, Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, and Marnus Labuschagne unanimously agreed that Rishabh Pant is the most prolific sledger in the current Indian cricket team.Pant, known for his aggressive and often witty sledging, has become a formidable presence on the field. In the same video, he recalled his memorable sledging battles with former Australian captain Tim Paine during the 2018 series. Pant revealed that even the then Australian Prime Minister recognized him through his sledging."I do it with love!" Pant said. "I don't like it when someone does it to me, so I sledge politely."Pant's sledging has often been a source of entertainment for fans, but it has also drawn criticism from some quarters. However, the Australian players acknowledged that Pant's sledging is usually harmless and in good spirits."He's a bit of a character," said Starc. "He's always up for a bit of banter, and he's not afraid to give it back."Meanwhile, India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has regained the top spot in the ICC Test bowling rankings after his impressive performance in the second Test against Bangladesh. Bumrah replaced his teammate Ravichandran Ashwin, who had held the top spot after the first Test.In batting, Yashasvi Jaiswal has moved to a career-high third position after his scintillating knocks in the Kanpur Test. The 22-year-old is now behind only Kane Williamson and Joe Root in the rankings.Veteran Indian batter Virat Kohli has also made a significant jump in the rankings, rising six places to the sixth position. Rishabh Pant remains in the top 10, dropping three spots to ninth.

Sledging: A Fiery Element in the India-Australia Test RivalrySledging, the art of verbal jousting on the cricket field, has become an integral part of the intense rivalry between India and Australia. While Australian teams have traditionally been known for their aggressive sledging tactics, India has gradually embraced this aspect of the game, particularly under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly and Virat Kohli.In recent years, India has not only triumphed in their last two tours Down Under but has also matched the Australians in the art of sledging. Rishabh Pant, in particular, has emerged as a master of behind-the-wickets banter, often targeting Australian batters with his witty remarks.In a recent video shared by Star Sports, Australian players unanimously named Pant as the Indian player who sledges and banters the most. Pant, however, clarified that he does not engage in sledging with any specific purpose but simply enjoys the banter.The upcoming five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy, beginning on November 22 in Perth, promises to be another fiery encounter between these two cricketing giants. India's recent Test series win against Bangladesh has solidified their position atop the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, with a points percentage of 74.24.If India manages to defeat New Zealand 3-0 at home, they will secure their place in the WTC final at Lord's in June 2025 before even heading to Australia. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will then become a contest of pride, with the world's No. 1 team aiming to retain the series.

Virat Kohli and Mushfiqur Rahim's on-field rivalry has been a topic of discussion for years, and it resurfaced during the first Test between India and Bangladesh in Chennai. Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal hinted at Kohli's history of sledging Rahim, prompting a cheeky response from ex-India coach Ravi Shastri.Rahim has previously stated that Kohli often engages in verbal exchanges with him on the field. "He always tries to sledge me every time I go in to bat," Rahim said. "He's a really competitive guy and doesn't want to lose any cricket match."Kohli's competitive nature was evident in India's dominant performance on Day 2 of the Test. After dismissing Bangladesh for 149, India extended their lead to 308. However, Kohli's innings was cut short when he was trapped lbw by Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 17.Despite Kohli's dismissal, India remained in control of the match. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant were unbeaten on 33 and 12, respectively, at stumps.Bangladesh's top scorer was Shakib Al Hasan with 32, while Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of India's bowlers with 4/55.The hosts opted not to enforce the follow-on, giving Bangladesh a chance to bat again. However, India's bowlers will be confident of wrapping up the match quickly and securing a series victory.

Dhruv Jurel, the rising star of Team India, recently shared his experience of facing sledging from England's Joe Root during the Ranchi Test earlier this year. Jurel, who made his Test debut in the series, recalled the incident that occurred when he was batting cautiously on 30 not out."I couldn't sleep that night," Jurel said. "I was thinking about how I could get my half-century, but I ended up getting around 36 before they took the new ball."The next morning, Jurel faced James Anderson, who immediately began sledging him. "He was all aggressive and was continuously sledging," Jurel said. "I didn't understand half of those words because of the British accent."To Jurel's surprise, his former Rajasthan Royals teammate, Joe Root, also joined in the mind games. "I asked him, 'Why are you sledging me?'" Jurel said. "He replied, 'We are all playing for our country now.'"Despite the sledging, Jurel remained focused and went on to score 90 runs in the first innings, followed by a crucial 39 not out in the second. His contributions helped India beat England by five wickets, with Jurel earning the man of the match award.Jurel's performance in the Ranchi Test showcased his resilience and determination. Despite the pressure of making his Test debut and facing sledging from experienced opponents, he remained composed and played a key role in India's victory.The 24-year-old has since been named in India's 16-man squad for the upcoming 1st Test against Bangladesh. His inclusion is a testament to his talent and the potential he holds for the future of Indian cricket.