Top 5 serious heated exchanges in BGT history ft. Travis Head-Mohammed Siraj

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), contested between India and Australia, has been a closely contested series since its inception in the 90s. Whether it be in India or Down Under, tensions have flared up on quite a few occasions among players, resulting in controversy.

The sledging and the verbal altercation saw its peak in the 2008 series, with India showing their fighting spirit against a legendary Australian team. Since then, the build-up and the result of this bilateral series have become much larger. As a result, the ongoing BGT 2024-25 has been contested fiercely as well.

On that note, let's shed light on the top five heated exchanges in BGT history.

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#1 Virat Kohli-Mitchell Johnson

In the third Test of BGT 2014-15 in MCG, Virat Kohli was involved in a verbal conflict with Mitchell Johnson. It all started when Kohli had some words for Johnson after the latter was dismissed. The hostile send-off certainly irked the former pacer, who took it upon himself to fire verbal shots at Kohli.

In response to Australia's 530-run total, Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane were building a solid partnership. The left-arm pacer crossed the line when he threw the ball in his follow-through, which hit Kohli's body and angered him. Although Johnson tried to course-correct his move, Kohli sought to show his aggressive side with the bat.

The right-hander went on to hit 169 and stitched a 262-run partnership with Rahane (147) to push India's total to 465. In the end, the match ended in a draw.

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#2 Travis Head-Mohammed Siraj

The BGT 2024-25 got heated up after a controversial exchange between Travis Head and Mohammed Siraj. In response to India's 180-run total, Head was taking the game away from India with his sensational century. His mindset put the Indian bowlers under pressure and desperate in search of his wicket.

In the 82nd over, Head had already slammed Siraj for a four and six. However, the southpaw failed to make a connection with a perfectly executed yorker, which saw the stumps flying.

After the dismissal, Siraj was all fired up and gave an animated send-off to Head, signalling him to return to the dugout. Both were then involved in a verbal altercation, which lit up the BGT.

In the post-day press conference, Head claimed he jokingly told Siraj, 'Well bowled'. However, Siraj denied the claim and asserted that the Australian abused him.

The fast bowler was penalised 20% of his match fees for breaching article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to provoking an aggressive reaction from the batter. Meanwhile, Head was sanctioned for breaching Article 2.13 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which pertains to the abuse of a player.

Head's 140-run knock eventually helped Australia to secure a 10-wicket victory.

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#3 Harbhajan-Symonds Monkey Gate scandal

The 2008 Sydney Test saw the infamous Monkeygate scandal between Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds. It took place during India's first innings when Harbhajan and Sachin Tendulkar were batting. The duo had stitched a 100-run stand, and the former off-spinner reportedly patted Brett Lee after hitting him for a boundary, calling it hard luck.

Harbhajan's gesture did not go down well with Symonds, who was recorded on the stumps saying, "We don’t need it, do it to your own teammates." In response, the spinner hurled some words towards the all-rounder.

The Australian team complained to the umpires about Harbhajan making a racial slur towards Symonds. Later, match referee found Harbhajan to have breached ICC's code of conduct and handed him a three-game ban.

However, later, the ICC appeals commissioner Justice John Hansen found Harbhajan innocent and fined him 50 percent of his match fees. The hosts won by 122 runs.

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#4 Gautam Gambhir-Shane Watson

On the first day of the third Test of Australia's tour to India in Delhi in 2008, Gautam Gambhir was involved in a heated altercation with Shane Watson. As Gambhir was coming off a brilliant 104-run knock in the previous fixture, his wicket was crucial to the visitors.

After securing early breakthroughs of Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid, Australia were in the hunt for more wickets. At that moment, Gambhir charged against one of the deliveries bowled by Watson, which forced the Australian to attempt to throw the ball back at him.

Gambhir soon pulled the short ball to the boundary and made a similar move down the pitch in the subsequent delivery to anger Watson.

In the 51st over of India's innings, Gambhir flicked a ball and took a double. However, just after completing the first run, the left-hander collided with Watson and allegedly pushed his elbow into the all-rounder's chest. Thereafter, the Australian players were all over the now India head coach.

After tea, Simon Katich also appeared to have stopped Gambhir when he tried to take a single and engaged in a verbal altercation. As a result, Gambhir was banned for a match and fined 65% of his match fee. Meanwhile, Watson faced a 10% penalty.

Gambhir slammed a double century as the match eventually ended in a draw.

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#5 Varun Aaron-David Warner

The Adelaide Test in 2014 witnessed Australia take a lead of 73 runs in the first innings. Opener David Warner, who scored 145 in the first innings, looked in rhythm in the second essay as well and was able to garner boundaries easily.

However, Indian pacer Varun Aaron went through the gates to take out the middle stump of Warner. The dismissal triggered wild celebrations from Aaron and Virat Kohli. In particular, Aaron yelled ‘come on’ as Warner was walking towards the dugout.

In a twist of tale, the umpire decided to check for a no-ball and replays showed that Aaron overstepped. As the southpaw was returning to the crease, he was caught on the camera saying 'come on' multiple times.

Shikhar Dhawan stepped in to ask Warner to mind his end, which involved non-striker Shane Watson as well. Warner hit another hundred, as Australia went on to win the game by 48 runs.