Ishant Sharma and Matt Renshaw scripted another chapter in the ongoing saga of on-field spats between Indian and Aussie players when they engaged in heated argument on the final day of Ranchi Test
Indian captain Virat Kohli (L) walks near Australian batsman Matthew Renshaw during the fifth day of the third Test match between India and Australia at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) Stadium complex in Ranchi on Monday. Pic/AFP
The India vs Australia Test series is being played at a very intense and aggressive level with both sides indulging in teasing and taunting to gain a psychological upper hand.
ADVERTISEMENT
The 3rd Test that was played at Ranchi may have ended in a draw with Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb helped Australia reach 204/6 in 100 overs in their second innings and ensure the tie ended in a draw. Handscomb (72 not out) and Marsh (53) combined to share a 124-run fifth-wicket partnership to steer Australia to safety.
But before that, tempers flared again in the middle with pacer Ishant Sharma and young opener Matt Renshaw getting involved in a heated exchange on day five of the third Test at the JSCA Stadium.
Sharma and the Aussie opener got into a heated verbal exchange on Monday.
The incident took place when Renshaw, noticing some activity near the sight-screen, pulled out from the batting crease and a livid Sharma ended up throwing the ball in his follow through.
The ball landed away from Renshaw but the incident led to some exchanges between Sharma and him. Also jumping in was Steve Smith and the umpire sought immediate intervention of Indian skipper Virat Kohli to defuse the situation.
Following a couple of minutes delay, Sharma finally resumed his over and charged Renshaw with a short-pitched delivery that hit the youngster's thigh pad and climbed straight up to hit the chin through the gap of the helmet grill.
Indian bowler Ishant Sharma celebrates after he dismissed Australian batsman Matthew Renshaw during the fifth day of the third Test match between India and Australia at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) Stadium complex in Ranchi on Monday. Pic/AFP
He followed it up with a bouncer that swung past Renshaw from a middle stump line and the opener looked under pressure.
Finally, Sharma had the last laugh when he dismissed Renshaw. Sharma cramped the opener for room with a full length delivery that trapped the left-hander right in front of the stumps.
Sharma enjoyed an animated celebration and capped off the brilliant over with another nasty blow to Shaun Marsh.
All-rounder Glenn Maxwell had earlier on Saturday mocked Kohli's shoulder injury.
Maxwell, who had struck a brilliant hundred on Friday, was seen mocking Kohli's injury when he imitated the Indian skipper's action by clutching his right shoulder after his dive to save a boundary in the 81st over.
Kohli had then gave David Warner an animated send-off after the Australian opener was dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja in the 2nd innings.
Ravindra Jadeja celebrates with his teammates after dismissing Australian batsman David Warner during 4th day of 3rd Test Match in Ranchi on Sunday. Pic/PTI
When Jadeja castled Warner just before stumps on Day 4, Kohli celebrated wildly by holding and patting his injured shoulder.
All the hostilities started when Australian skipper Steven Smith had a 'DRS Brain-fade' in the 2nd Test in Bangalore.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
