The Australia-India rivalry in Cricket is fast gaining the reputation like no other in the game. This time, like each time the two sides face off, there’s much that goes on other than just putting the bat to the ball.
However, the hype and Australia’s reputation for unsettling the opposition with sledging notwithstanding, Australian vice-captain David Warner has said Australia will not sledge Indian skipper Virat Kohli.
“Virat Kohli is one of those players, if you niggle at him, it either makes him better or if you get under his skin, he’ll probably get even better. He’s a world class player at the moment and for us, it’s about going out and playing the best cricket we can,” said Warner.
“We’re not going out there to entertain the idea of sledging or banter. It’s out there and playing good cricket and a great brand of cricket and making sure it’s in the spirit of the game,” he added.
Earlier former Aussie batsman Michael Hussey advised Steve Smith’s team against verbally engaging with the Indian skipper who has been in a splendid form.
Australia's David Warner bats during a practice match against India A in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2017. Source: AAP Image/AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade
"From an Australian point of view, Kohli is public enemy No.1 and we have to get him out cheaply. I wouldn't try and fire him (Kohli) up. I think he thrives on that and he's a real competitor. He loves being in the fight and loves the contest out in the middle," Hussey was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
During the 2014 Boxing Day Test match, Kohli fired his then career best of 169 and forced a draw after Australian players chose to sledge him.
On Sunday, India A batsman Shreyas Iyer who scored a double century, said David Warner was one of the two Australian players who engaged with him verbally. But clearly, it didn’t help.
But it was Nathan Lyon’s day to learn the consequences of sledging a tailender.
Lyon was blasted off for 57 in just six over after Lyon verbally attacked India A’s number 8 Krishnappa Gowtham as soon as he arrived to bat.
Australia and India will play the first match of the 4-match Border-Gavaskar series on Thursday in Pune.
