India vs Australia 2016-17: war minus the shooting

Drama, controversy and hard-fought cricket - the 2016-17 Border-Gavaskar Trophy had it all

Sidharth Monga  |  

Staredowns were a staple feature of the 2016-17 Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Staredowns were a staple feature of the 2016-17 Border-Gavaskar Trophy Aijaz Rahi / © Associated Press

There may have been two more memorable Australia-India series since, resulting in more significant results, but the Border-Gavaskar Trophy of 2016-17 is perhaps the most storied clash of recent times. Emotions, gamesmanship, the sublime, the ridiculous, and two evenly matched sides playing ultra-competitive cricket came together for a series that could have a highlights reel of its own that does not feature any of the actual cricket involved.

The drama began on the very first day, when Matt Renshaw had to retire so he could take a toilet break. Innocent, right? Cricketers are made of sterner stuff, or should be, as it turned out. Former Australia captain Allan Border said if he were captain he'd "be ropeable" if Renshaw were anything less than half-dead.

No stomach for the fight? Former captain Allan Border had little sympathy for Matt Renshaw's suffering

No stomach for the fight? Former captain Allan Border had little sympathy for Matt Renshaw's suffering © AFP

What made the series competitive in a dominant home season for India was losing the toss in the first Test on a Pune pitch that turned square. Australia got the best of the conditions, their spinners had a cushion of runs to be able to bowl fuller, and then Steven Smith put the matter beyond India to score a third-innings century to supplement a 154-run first-innings lead.

To score runs on that surface, you needed some luck. Against Ravindra Jadeja, Smith had a lot of it. Jadeja induced a false response on 24 of the 81 balls he bowled at Smith during his century - almost one false response every three balls. Smith was so focused, his idiosyncratic mannerisms got even more exaggerated. Jadeja mocked him only to draw a smile from Smith as Australia went 1-0 up.

Dance like Smudge's watching: Ravindra Jadeja interprets Steven Smith's pre-ball ritual

Dance like Smudge's watching: Ravindra Jadeja interprets Steven Smith's pre-ball ritual © Courtesy of Hotstar

The second day of the Bangalore Test was perhaps the greatest bowling effort from Virat Kohli's team at home. On day one, Nathan Lyon leveraged the dampness to bowl India out for just 189. At 40 for 0, Australia were about four sessions away from batting India out of the Test and thus retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. They batted four more sessions, but so intense and disciplined were India they let Australia score at only 2.25 an over, thus staying alive in the game.

The highlight of the day was Ishant Sharma making ridiculous faces at Smith, presumably annoyed at Smith's mannerisms. Even Kohli at slips had a chuckle.

Ishant Sharma is a man of many faces

Ishant Sharma is a man of many faces © Courtesy of Hotstar

At the calmest of times, R Ashwin can be found spoiling for a fight. If you point to his friend Abhinav Mukund's forehead after bouncing him, it is unlikely Ashwin will forget. Sure enough when Ashwin got Mitchell Starc out in the second innings, he made sure he reminded Starc of it by poking his own forehead repeatedly.

It's all between the ears: provoke R Ashwin at your own peril

It's all between the ears: provoke R Ashwin at your own peril © Associated Press

Australia have periodically brought up a hackneyed analogy about "getting the head of the snake", which in this case was Kohli, but it was always Smith who was under more intense bowling scrutiny, because while India's other batters were making up for Kohli's failures, Smith had little support from the batters around him.

The dam finally broke when Smith sought help from the dressing room on a DRS call. India, who as it turned out suspected it was not the first time but had had no evidence for it till then, now felt vindicated and let out all their pent-up indignation. Also Smith's wicket all but assured them a series-levelling win.

Snakes on the brain: Smith got into trouble for looking towards the Australia dressing room for help with a review

Snakes on the brain: Smith got into trouble for looking towards the Australia dressing room for help with a review © AFP

A sad, result-less surface in Ranchi did at least produce some moments of comic relief, most notably when the ball lodged itself in Smith's thigh pad. So intent was Wriddhiman Saha on catching it that the two ended in a tangle on the ground.

You've got something on your leg: Wriddhiman Saha tries to claim a catch after the ball wedged itself into the flap of Smith's thigh pad

You've got something on your leg: Wriddhiman Saha tries to claim a catch after the ball wedged itself into the flap of Smith's thigh pad © BCCI

The cease-fire was all too brief. Kohli had injured himself fielding at the boundary in the first innings. On the fourth afternoon, just before tea, Glenn Maxwell appeared to be mocking him when he held his own right shoulder after making a diving stop at the boundary. The whole Indian team was incensed.

Kohli landed hard on his shoulder diving for a boundary catch

Kohli landed hard on his shoulder diving for a boundary catch © BCCI

Revenge was swift. India declared in the final session, then got David Warner out. Kohli celebrated with an equally joyful and angry dance, smacking the same injured shoulder that he believed Australia had mocked.

Chip on your shoulder? Kohli mocks Glenn Maxwell mocking Kohli while celebrating David Warner's wicket

Chip on your shoulder? Kohli mocks Glenn Maxwell mocking Kohli while celebrating David Warner's wicket © Associated Press

All the build-up to the series decider in Dharamsala centred on Kohli's shoulder. Australia went to the hills the calmer side, perhaps in no small part thanks to their meeting with the Dalai Lama.

Give peace a chance: Smith and the Dalai Lama see eye to eye

Give peace a chance: Smith and the Dalai Lama see eye to eye © Cricket Australia

Eventually Kohli didn't recover in time, but even in his absence he only strengthened India. His replacement, Kuldeep Yadav, proved to be the ace India had up their sleeve. He dragged Australia back from 144 for 1 on day one to bowl them out for 300.

Not only did Kohli run the drinks, the better to be an eyesore for the Australians, he made it a point to step out of the dressing room to come to the balcony and cheer when Australia got a DRS review wrong.

India went on to win the Test and ward off the strongest challenge they have faced at home in ten years. As great dramas tend to do, this came at a cost. Kohli regretted calling the Australian players his friends before the series. "You won't hear me say that again," he said.

It's not you, it's me: Kohli and Smith are friends again

It's not you, it's me: Kohli and Smith are friends again © India Today Group/Getty Images

The break-up between Kohli and his Aussie mates didn't quite take, and they are quite friendly now, but the next great drama could be just days away.

Sidharth Monga is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo

 

RELATED ARTICLES