Top 10 Biggest Fights In The History of Cricket

Just like any other sport, the cricket field too, has had its own positive and negative moments. Emotions often run high, and it leads to altercations which stands against the ‘spirit of cricket’. But the irony is that throughout the history of the ‘gentleman’s game’ there have been various fights on the field which has taken off the sheen from cricket.

In the recently-concluded Under-19 World Cup itself, we witnessed a beautiful moment of ‘spirit of cricket’ where New Zealand players Jesse Tashkof and Joseph Field helped the West Indies batsman Kirk McKenzie to get off the field after he suffered from cramps.

On the other hand, the final of the same tournament was marred by controversy when players of both India and Bangladesh confronted each other after the match.

Having said that, today we will take a look at the top ten biggest fights in the history of cricket:

1) Andrew Symonds v Harbhajan Singh, 2008:

When team India visited Australia in 2008, this was arguably the biggest talking point from the tour. In the Sydney Test, Andrew Symonds and Harbhajan Singh had a spat, after which the former alleged that Singh called him a ‘monkey’, a racial slur.

The India bowler was subsequently handed a three-match ban, but the Indian team threatened that they would pull-out of the tour if the ban was not uplifted.

After Judge John Hansen heard oral statements from both teams, he dropped the charges on Singh citing that there was lack of evidence for the charges to stick.

2) MS Dhoni v Mustafizur Rehman, 2015

This incident happened in an ODI between India and Bangladesh in 2015. MS Dhoni seemed to collide with Rehman as he was looking to complete a single. The India team later alleged that the Bangladeshi bowler did so on purpose, having earlier blocked Rohit Sharma from completing a run, in the same match.

After an official enquiry, both Dhoni and Rehman were fined 75 per cent and 50 per cent of their match fees respectively.

3) Marlon Samuels v Shane Warne, 2013

Marlon Samuels had no idea, that when he tugged on David Hussey’s shirt in a Big Bash League game, the latter’s teammate Shane Warne would return the favour. Warne wasn’t the one to hold back, as he later allegedly intentionally hit Samuels with a throw.

After this, tempers boiled and Samuels swung his bat in the direction of Warne to show his anger. They were both fined after the match and the Australian bowler even-handed a one-match ban for using inappropriate language.

4) India U19 v Bangladesh U19, 2020

Who could have predicted that the two teams who produced such a classic encounter on Sunday would turn ugly? It’s not clear as to what started the altercation, but as per replays of the incident, the Bangladeshi support staff and players came running onto the field after the end of the game and collided with the Indian players.

For the next 40-50 seconds, players and support staff from both sides started pushing and shoving each other as efforts were also made to restore calm.

India U19 coach Paras Mhambrey later led the India team into the dressing room, but the incident remains an infamous one, and ICC have said that they will look into it.

In result, the world cricket governing body has found five players guilty of a Level 3 breach while considering ICC’s Code of Conduct.

5) Ramnaresh Sarwan v Glenn McGrath, 2003

This incident is still date, regarded as one of the worst cases of sledging in cricket history. Australia and West Indies faced off in Antigua, and things turned ugly when McGrath hurled some unpleasant comments at Sarwan, who allegedly retorted with some comments on McGrath’s wife.

On-field umpires rushed to calm things down and both players were let go without any ban or fines being handed to any party involved.

6) Inzamam-ul-Haq vs a fan, 1997

What remains as one of the most infamous incidents in cricket history where a fan was involved in an altercation. During India and Pakistan’s Sahara Cup match in 1997, a fan allegedly called Inzamam-ul-Haq “Aloo (Potato)” after which he lost his cool.

While the match kept on going, the fan just wouldn’t stop hurling comments on the Pakistani player, which resulted in him barging into the stands and getting physical with the fan. Security intervened and Inzamam was subsequently banned for two matches.

7) Gautam Gambhir vs Virat Kohli, 2015

One of the most controversial moments in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history, Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir nearly collided with each other during a game between Kolkata Knight Riders(KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore(RCB) in 2015.

After Kohli was dismissed, on his way to the dugout, he got angry with something that Gambhir had said. They came close to confront each other but Rajat Bhatia stepped in and separated the two players with some help from the on-field umpires.

8) Gautam Gambhir vs Shane Watson, 2008

In another incident involving Gautam Gambhir, the Indian batsman faced off with Shane Watson this time in 2008. India and Australia were playing a Test match and Gambhir was playing well.

He was on the receiving end of sledging from Watson, and the Indian batsman replied by elbowing the bowler on his chest while trying to complete a run. Gambhir was, subsequently banned for the next match.

9) Michael Clarke vs James Anderson, 2013

The Ashes have always been an intense rivalry between England and Australia.

In 2013 though, things went through the roof. James Anderson came out to bat at number ten and was on the receiving end of sledging from George Bailey. The Englishman allegedly threatened Bailey by signalling him with a punch.

After this, Australian captain Michael Clarke got involved and he got into a verbal spat with Anderson.

The tension was reduced after intervention from the umpires but Clarke was fined 20 per cent of his match fees due to use of inappropriate language.

10) Venkatesh Prasad vs Aamir Sohail, 1999

India versus Pakistani games are always a heated affair. The tension was palpable as the two neighbouring countries contested in a World Cup knockout tie.

Pakistani batsman Aamir hit Indian bowler Prasad for a biggie and asked him to go fetch the ball.

The Indian bowler would have the last laugh though as on the very next delivery, he took Aamir’s wicket and gestured him towards the dressing room.