BGT 2024-25: From Monkeygate to Siraj facing racism - Top controversies from India vs Australia Tests

Australia have always been a 'in your face' kind of team with an aggressive style of play and sledging as well. The crowd, especially in Sydney, isn't forgiving as well, which makes it even harder for the visiting teams. Their rivalry against India is well documented, and with India also now a team that gives back as much as it gets, many sour incidents have taken place between two teams.

As India get ready for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), which starts on November 22 in Perth, here below are the top controversies over the years from the India vs. Australia Tests:

Also Read: Five key India players who can shape the outcome of series in BGT 2024-25

Harbhajan-Symonds in Monkeygate

The 2008 Sydney Test would always be remembered for the drama involving Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds. During the match, Symonds accused Harbhajan of calling him 'monkey - a racial slur given Symonds heritage,' but the Indian spinner denied saying so. Harbhajan was banned for three Tests. The punishment was reduced after India threatened to pull out of the tour, but the incident left tensions between the two sides, which lasted for long.

Virat Kohli flipping Sydney crowd

A young Virat Kohli was nothing short of a dragon breathing ffire,and the batter held nothing back against the oopposition, or in this instance - against the crowd. After hearing abuse from the Sydney crowd on the tour of 2012 - Kohli decided to give it back and showed his middle finger to the crowd - an act that was criticised a lot and played very much by the Aussie media as well - leaving the two sides with palpable tension.

Steve Smith's Brainfade

Steve Smith scored three hundreds on Australia tour of India in 2017, but he'll be best remembered for the 'brainfade' moment on the tour. On a Bengaluru pitch in the second Test, which was keeping low, Smith was given LBW by the on-filed umpire, and he looked up to the dressing room, seeking help on taking the review. Indian skipper Kohli was furious, and the umpire sent the batter off immediately. Smith later admitted to the mistake, but the damage was done.

Shouldergate

Australia's 2017 tour of India saw another controversy when Glenn Maxwell mocked Virat Kohli's shoulder injury during the third Test in Ranchi. Kohli clutched his shoulder while fielding in Australia's first iinnings, after stopping a ball at the boundary. The injury was serious enough to keep the Indian skipper out for a part of the match. 

Maxwell, who had scored the hundred in fthe firstinnings for the visitors, mocked Kohli by clutching to his shoulder after stopping a ball, Kohli, however, gave it back by doing the same in Australia's second innings after David Warner's dismissal.

Mohammed Siraj faces racism

India pacer Mohammed Siraj faced racial slurs from the hostile Sydney crowd on the tour of 2020-21. India skipper Ajinkya Rahane refused to leave the ground until the six guilty fans were ejected from the stands for calling Siraj 'brown monkey.' The incident once again added bitterness to an already tense rivalry.