Cricket, sometimes referred to as the ‘gentleman’s game’, has not been devoid of its share of heated confrontations that have gone into cricket’s history about their rows. While they are rare situations, they show the passion and desire to be competitive involved in the game. They could lay claim to being among the most Memorable fights in cricket has to offer.
1. Dennis Lillee vs. Javed Miandad (1981) Fights in Cricket
In Perth, Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee and Pakistani batsman Javed Miandad had an altercation during a Test_match. After unsuccessfully appealing for a leg-before wicket, Lillee got in the way of Miandad’s path which led to a verbal exchange. Things boiled over when Lillee kicked Miandad, who retaliated by raising his bat in a threat to strike Lillee. Umpires stepped in to stop the fray increasing any further. Fights in Cricket
2. Harbhajan Singh vs. Sreesanth (2008)
Apart from this, in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab, teammates Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth had a notorious altercation. After the match, Harbhajan slapped Sreesanth, and the latter was next seen crying on the field. Harbhajan was banned for the rest of the IPL season because of the incident. Fights in Cricket
3. Shane Warne vs. Marlon Samuels (2013)
Australian spinner Shane Warne and West Indian all rounder Marlon Samuels had a clash during a Big Bash League (BBL) match. The tension started with Samuels tug of playfully David Hussey shirt. Later, Warne confronted Samuels and the exchange deteriorated into a very heated affair. It all kicked off when Warne tossed the ball at Samuels, who threw his bat in return at Warne. The players were consequently fined for their conduct.
4. Gautam Gambhir vs. Shahid Afridi (2007) Fights in Cricket
There was an altercation between Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afridi in an India vs Pakistan ODI. The two exchanged words after a collision occurring while running between the wickets that led to confrontation and clashed which was to be intervened by the umpire. It was an ICC code of conduct breach for which both players were fined.
5. Kieron Pollard vs. Mitchell Starc (2014)
Australian bowler Mitchell Starc and West Indian batsman Kieron Pollard have had a heated exchange in an IPL match. During a verbal exchange with Pollard, Starc bowl a delivery close to Pollard and, when taken aback, the latter threw his bat at Starc. The incident brought out the extreme competitiveness of the IPL.
6. Virat Kohli vs. Gautam Gambhir (2013)
It was the national team teammates Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir who had an explosive confrontation when Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders clashed in an IPL match. Words were exchanged after Kohli’s dismissal and after some on field spat, the teammates had to diffuse it.
7. Michael Clarke vs. James Anderson (2013)
In the Ashes series, Australian captain Michael Clarke was caught telling James Anderson ‘get ready for a broken arm‘. The comment was picked up by stump microphone, with discussions that followed about on field sledding and sportsmanship.
8. Inzamam-ul-Haq vs. Fan (1997)
During a match in Canada, Pakistani captain Inzamam-ul-Haq was provoked by an abusive spectator who made derogatory remarks at him. Inzamam lost it, ran into the stands, where he confronted the fan leading to the pair fighting physically. The incident was much talked about and brought up the issue of how players deal with spectator behavior.
