The 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series was filled with drama, but one of the most talked-about moments came during the third Test in Ranchi.
Indian captain Virat Kohli had injured his shoulder while fielding during the Test match, forcing him to stay off the field for a while. This injury became the target of Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who mocked Kohli in an on-field incident that grabbed headlines.
The incident happened in the first innings, Kohli injured his shoulder while diving to save a boundary. The injury was serious enough to keep him off the field for a significant part of the match. As India batted after Australia’s first-innings total of 451, Maxwell, fresh off scoring his maiden Test hundred, made a spectacular dive near the boundary to save runs. Immediately after, Maxwell theatrically clutched his shoulder, mimicking Kohli’s injury. The gesture was clearly aimed at mocking the Indian skipper, and it didn’t go unnoticed. The act was caught on camera and quickly went viral, which added more fuel to the already intense rivalry.
When Kohli hit back at Maxwell
Kohli, known for his fiery demeanour, did not immediately react but bided his time. In Australia’s second innings, when Ravindra Jadeja bowled David Warner for just 14 runs, Kohli seized the opportunity. He celebrated by aggressively patting his own shoulder, mimicking Maxwell’s earlier gesture. The crowd erupted, and it was evident that Kohli had delivered a pointed response.
In the post-match presentation after the final Test, Kohli didn’t hold back. He made it clear that his camaraderie with the Australian players was over, saying, “I’ve been proven wrong. The friendship with the Australian team is no longer there.” This was a direct response to the series’ sledging and on-field antics, including Maxwell’s mocking act.
Another intense chapter to rivalry
The shoulder saga became a symbol of the mind games and sledging that defined the series. While the Australians downplayed Maxwell’s actions as light-hearted, the incident highlighted the intensity of the competition. Kohli’s gesture was a reminder that India would not be intimidated, responding to provocations both on and off the field.
India eventually went on to win the fourth Test in Dharamsala, clinching the series 2-1. This victory was particularly sweet for Kohli, who played a crucial leadership role despite his injury. The Maxwell-Kohli exchange remains one of the most iconic moments of the 2017 series, which captured the fierce spirit of the rivalry between India and Australia.
