5 Times India vs Pakistan ODI Matches Went Out Of Hand

Aakash Saini

Most heated India vs Pakistan moments in ODIs [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x]Most heated India vs Pakistan moments in ODIs [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x]

Few rivalries in cricket evoke as much passion and intensity as India vs Pakistan matches. With emotions running high and national pride at stake, fiery exchanges and heated moments have often punctuated their encounters. From verbal spats to controversial incidents, these flashpoints have only added to the rivalry’s lore.

Celebrating the storied cricketing rivalry of India vs Pakistan, here is a look at five of the most heated moments that have occurred between players from the two nations.

5. Gautam Gambhir vs Shahid Afridi, 2007

India’s malicious mischief Gautam Gambhir and Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi crossed paths during an ODI series in India back in 2007. Shortly after Gambhir stepped out and hit Afridi for a boundary, the two cricketers bumped into each other in the middle of the pitch as the Indian batter was completing a run.

The seemingly-purposeful collision was followed by a heated exchange of words, prompting the on-field umpires to step in and disperse the situation. Ever since their on-field shuffle, both Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afridi have been taking cricketing as well as geo-political jabs at each other on social media.

4. Harbhajan Singh vs Shoaib Akhtar, 2010

In match number four of the 2010 Asia Cup played out between India and Pakistan in Dambulla, ‘Men in Green’ fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar tried to intimidate Harbhajan Singh with a sharp bouncer and a couple of words as the game was heading towards an exciting finish. Harbhajan eventually had the last laugh when he hit the winning runs the following over off Mohammad Amir. Furthermore, the Indian cricketer capped the proceedings with a fiery celebration in front of Akhtar.

However, unlike many other verbal tussles between India and Pakistan players, both Harbhajan Singh and Shoaib Akhtar have seemingly buried the hatchet, as evidenced by their friendly and sporting affection towards one another off late.

3. Kiran More vs Javed Miandad, 1992

The first-ever India vs Pakistan World Cup meeting coincided with the famous ‘Kangaroo dance’ performance from Pakistani batting great Javed Miandad back in 1992. Miandad, with a grin on his face, jumped up and down to respond to the constant appealing and sledging made by Indian wicketkeeper Kiran More.

Unfortunately for Javed Miandad, the Pakistan cricket team ended up losing the match by 43 runs despite finding themselves in a commanding position at the halfway stage of the run chase.

2. Rahul Dravid vs Shoaib Akhtar, 2004

Rahul Dravid and Shoaib Akhtar bumped into each other during India’s high-octane 2004 ICC Champions Trophy match against Pakistan in Birmingham. The incident occurred during the 40th over of the Indian innings, when Dravid was batting at 44* at the time. Both cricketers had a fiery exchange with each other, with then Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq stepping in to separate the two raging cricketers.

Pakistan eventually won the low-scoring match in a thrilling finish by three wickets, with Mohammad Yousuf bagging the ‘Player of the Match’ award.

1. Venkatesh Prasad vs Aamer Sohail, 1996

During the quarterfinal match of the 1996 World Cup in Bengaluru, then Pakistan captain Aamer Sohail had a verbal go at Venkatesh Prasad after he hit the Indian fast bowler for a scorching boundary towards the off-side. Moreover, Sohail also taunted Prasad by pointing his bat towards the direction of the boundary. Off the very next delivery, Venkatesh Prasad knocked over the well-set Pakistani skipper, triggering a fiery celebration from the Indian camp.

As it turned out, Sohail’s dismissal also triggered a colossal batting collapse, with Pakistan crumbling down from 113-1 to 248 all out to lose the match by 39 runs.