Top 10 Heated Moments in IPL: The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been more than just cricket. It’s a complete entertainment package that is known for its glamour, passion, drama, controversies, and heated moments. From Gautam Gambhir’s infamous spat with Virat Kohli to Ravichandran Ashwin ‘Mankading’ Jos Buttler, we have seen some of the most heated moments in the IPL over the years.
Here are the top 10 heated moments in IPL history that created headlines:
1. Gautam Gambhir vs Virat Kohli (RCB vs KKR, 2013)
The first seeds of the Gautam Gambhir vs Virat Kohli rivalry were sown during a game between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore, in 2013. After Kohli got out during the game, Gambhir appeared to say something into his India teammate’s ears, which did not sit well with Kohli. The exchange grew even more heated, and their Delhi teammate, Rajat Bhatia who was with KKR at the time, had to step in between to calm the two down.
2. Harbhajan Singh vs S Sreesanth (MI vs KXIP, 2008)
During the 10th fixture of the 2008 IPL, Harbhajan Singh, who was fuming after he was dismissed, went and slapped Sreesanth after the game ended. Following the incident, Harbhajan was suspended from the rest of the IPL season.
3. MS Dhoni’s argument against RR (RR vs CSK, 2019)
MS Dhoni walked onto the pitch and signalled to the umpire that the umpire at the bowler’s end had signalled a no-ball during a game between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals in 2019. There was a lot of commotion, and the decision was overruled by the leg umpire.
4. Harbhajan Singh vs Ambati Rayudu (MI vs RPS, 2016)
Harbhajan Singh and Ambati Rayudu were involved in an ugly on-field spat during the IPL 2016 contest between Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants in Pune. The incident took place in the 11th over of the Pune innings when a diving Rayudu couldn’t prevent a boundary off Harbhajan’s bowling in the deep.
5. Sourav Ganguly vs Shane Warne (KKR vs RR, 2008)
The first major incident of the IPL involved Sourav Ganguly and Shane Warne in the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals in its inaugural season. Ganguly had apparently made Warne and his RR team wait before the toss, a dose identical to what he had dished out to Steve Waugh seven years before.
6. Hrithik Shokeen vs Nitish Rana (KKR vs MI, 2023)
The rivalry between two players in the Indian domestic circuit came to the fore at the IPL stage in 2023, with Kolkata Knight Riders’ captain Nitish Rana and Mumbai Indians’ Hrithik Shokeen engaging in a war of words in the first innings. The incident happened in the ninth over of their match at the Wankhede Stadium when the Mumbai Indians’ bowler gave an earful to Rana after dismissing the KKR captain.
7. Ravi Ashwin vs Jos Buttler (PBKS vs RR, 2019)
Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Jos Buttler in a controversial manner during their match 4 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. As per the laws of the game, the third umpire declared Buttler out, but such dismissal had always raised eyebrows as it is considered against the spirit of the game.
8. Virat Kohli vs Ravi Ashwin (KXIP vs RCB, 2019)
Kings XI Punjab captain Ravichandran Ashwin hit one straight to Kohli at long-on off Umesh Yadav’s bowling. Kohli celebrated, giving Ashwin a fiery send-off. Ashwin, on his part, was also seen throwing his gloves in the dugout in anger.
9. Kieron Pollard vs Mitchell Starc (RCB vs MI, 2014)
Kieron Pollard and Mitchell Starc were involved in a heated exchange during a match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians in 2014. It started when Pollard was hit on the helmet by a bouncer from Starc. Pollard then confronted Starc and threw his bat in his direction. The two had to be separated by the umpires and the incident led to a lot of buzz in the media.
10. Virat Kohli vs Gautam Gambhir and N – Ul Haq (RCB vs LSG, 2023)
In a match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and LSG in the 2023 IPL season, things got heated up between Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir, and N – Ul Haq. The incident took place in the 14th over of RCB’s innings when Kohli hit Haq for a six and exchanged words with the bowler. Gambhir, who was the mentor of LSG, intervened, and a heated argument ensued between the two Delhi teammates. The umpires had to step in to separate the players, and Kohli and Gambhir were even seen pointing fingers at each other. The incident became one of the most talked-about moments of the 2023 IPL season.
Do check out: Virat Kohli-Gautam Gambhir IPL fight has been made into a game: Here’s how you can play it online
Top 10 Heated Moments in IPL
The IPL has always been a platform for high-intensity cricket, and such moments of tension are bound to happen. The above incidents highlight the passion and aggression that players bring to the game. However, it is important for players to maintain their composure and not let things get out of hand. The IPL authorities have also taken steps to prevent such incidents by imposing fines and suspensions on players who indulge in unruly behavior on the field.
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