Ranking top 10 'thug life' moments in cricket history

Cricket is known to be a game of several uncertainties as momentum can tilt within a span of few deliveries. Moreover, a team needs to be formidable in several departments to thrive. While batters are assigned to put up runs on the board, bowlers have the onus to take wickets. Not to forget, fielding is also a crucial aspect of the game. Hence, it requires great skills to make a mark over the 22 yards. Notably, cricket also challenges the mental strength of a player. With millions of viewers watching an international game, players at the highest level can’t afford to crumble under pressure. The requirement of this aspect also tends to make players witty. As a result, fans have witnessed several ‘thug life’ moments on the cricket field. While some players have given befitting replies to sledges verbally, others have talked with either with their bat or the ball. Some hilarious incidences have also been recorded in the commentary box and in the press conferences. As fans continue to celebrate the gentleman’s game, we’ll recall some of those instances. Here are the top 10 ‘thug life’ moments in cricket history 10. Virat Kohli’s response to James Faulkner’s sledge Virat Kohli and James Faulkner. (Photo Source: Twitter) With Australian cricketers known for their grim and aggressive nature, there are numerous of them getting under the opposition players’ skin through sledging. However, this approach didn’t quite work for left-arm pacer James Faulkner during the third ODI of India’s 2016 tour of Australia. Faulkner ignited a verbal battle with Virat Kohli and the latter was more than happy to respond. Kohli was batting well in the middle and looked all set to take Team India towards a massive total in the first innings. In order to dent his concentration, Faulkner instigated the then Indian limited-overs vice-captain to take him on and score runs off his bowling. However, Kohli came up with an epic reply and the stump microphone recorded his words. “You’re wasting your energy. There’s no point, I’ve smashed you enough in my life. Just go and bowl,” replied Kohli. The right-handed batter went onto score a run-a-ball 117 as the Men in Blue posted 295/6. However, the home team clinched the Melbourne ODI by three wickets. 9. Jimmy Ormond vs Mark Waugh – Maybe not, but at least I’m the best player in my family Jimmy Ormond and Mark Waugh. (Photo Source: Twitter) Intensity is always high when Australia and England are locking horns in the high-voltage Ashes. Verbal altercations are also not rare in these clashes. One of the most epic sledging in Ashes history was recorded in 2001. England’s Jimmy Ormond was making his Test debut during the fifth and final Test at the Kennington Oval in London. Arriving at the crease for his first-ever England innings, the debutant was unsurprisingly welcomed with some fine words. Mark Waugh was the man in action this time. “Look who it is. Mate, what are you doing out here? There’s no way you’re good enough to play for England,” he said. In reply, Ormond showcased remarkable wittiness and said: “Maybe not, but at least I’m the best player in my family.” The fast bowler apparently took a dig at Mark, saying his brother Steve is better than him. It was indeed an epic response. 8. Ravi Shastri handed Mike Whitney – If you could bowl as well as you talk, you wouldn’t be the fucking 12th man! Ravi Shastri and Mike Whitney. (Photo Source: Twitter) We all know about former Indian all-rounder Ravi Shastri’s speech skills. Regarded as one of the finest cricket commentators ever, Shastri’s remarks with the microphone in hand have given fans many memorable moments. However, his ability to make witty responses helped him during his playing days as well. During the second Test of India’s 1991/92 tour of Australia, Shastri opened the innings for the visitors. Australia’s fast-bowler Mike Whitney was on the field as a substitute and he didn’t mind having a heated conversation with the right-handed batter. Shastri smashed the ball towards and contemplated stealing a single. This prompted Whitney to say – “Stay in your crease or I’ll break your fucking head.” Although Shastri didn’t lose his cool, he came up with a fitting reply. “If you could bowl as well as you talk, you wouldn’t be the fucking 12th man!” he said. 7. While Andrew Flintoff sledged Tino Best to dismissal Tino Best and Andrew Flintoff. (Photo Source: Getty Images) It was the first Test of West Indies’ 2004 tour of England and the venue was the iconic Lord’s Cricket Stadium. Although both teams put up a good fight, the Three Lions eventually walked away with a 210-run win. Notably, the contest saw an exciting verbal battle between England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and Caribbean pacer Tino Best. Chasing 478 runs in the last innings, multiple top-order batters got starts. However, the target proved to be too hefty for the visitors. Best arrived at the crease with the scorecard reading 200/7. Although England’s victory became inevitable by that time, Flintoff decided to have some fun with Best. Fielding in the slips, the English all-rounder was constantly chirping in the pacer’s ears, provoking him to go for a big hit. His tactics worked indeed as Best stepped out against left-arm spinner Ashley Giles but missed the ball completely. He was subsequently stumped and Flintoff was delighted. 6. Ravi Ashwin vs Tim Paine – Come to India, it will be your last series Tim Paine and Ravichandran Ashwin. (Photo Source: Twitter) This episode would still be fresh in the mind of Indian fans. It was the third Test of India’s 2020-21 tour of Australia and India were fighting for a draw. Chasing 407 in Sydney, the visitors were restricted to 272/5. With over 50 overs of play left on Day 5, Australia’s win seemed a mere formality. However, Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin joined forces and put up a blockathon show. While Pat Cummins tried to fire yorkers, Nathan Lyon tried to get some spin from the turf. However, none of the Aussie bowlers were able to pierce the duo’s defenses. With the bowlers struggling, Aussie skipper Tim Paine tried to help them in his own way. “Can’t wait to take you to Gabba, Ash” – Paine had told Ashwin, referring to the venue of the fourth Test. However, Ashwin hit him back by saying – “Just like we wanna get you to India, maybe your last series.” India went onto draw the match and interestingly, the fourth Test at Brisbane saw the visitors walking away with a historic three-wicket win. 5. Sreesanth’s famous six off Andre Nel S. Sreesanth. (Photo Source: Getty Images) While S Sreesanth was mostly popular for his fiery spells with the ball, he smashed Andre Nel for a famous six during the first Test of India’s 2007 tour of South Africa. The venue was Johannesburg and Sreesanth was on a roll. His five-for restricted the Proteas to 84 in the first innings. During India’s second innings, he came out to bat at number 10 and not much was expected from the tail-ender. However, Sreesanth stunned everyone by smashing a sensational maximum. Apparently, the Indian pacer was fired up by his South African counterpart Andre Nel. The Proteas fast bowler said something to Sreesanth after bowling a bouncer. On the very next ball, Sreesanth charged down the track and hit Nel for a straight six. He didn’t just stop there. After reaching the non-striker’s end, he was seen dancing all the way which entertained one and all. 4. When Sourav Ganguly’s savage response silenced Geoffrey Boycott Geoffrey Boycott and Sourav Ganguly. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Who can forget how Sourav Ganguly waved his shirt following India’s memorable triumph against England during the 2002 Natwest Trophy final. It was indeed a thrilling match as the Men in Blue emerged victorious only in the final over. Skipper Ganguly was evidently ecstatic with his side’s triumph as he took off his T-shirt at the Lord’s balcony. Notably, the very year England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff also took off his jersey in a match against India in Mumbai. Hence, the ‘Dada’ of Indian cricket didn’t hold back in settling the scores. Time and again, Ganguly has been asked about the episode and he never seemed proud of his act. Former England cricketer Geoffrey Boycott also had a notable conversation with Ganguly regarding the same in the commentary box. While Boycott cheekily tried to pull the former Indian captain’s leg, the southpaw was ready with a fitting response. Here is their conversation: Geoffrey Boycott: You must mention your experience of taking your jersey off and flying it in the air at the Mecca of cricket – Lord’s! Ohh, you naughty boy! Sourav Ganguly: One of your boys (referring to Flintoff) also took off his jersey here in Mumbai. Geoffrey Boycott: Ya, but Lord’s is the Mecca of cricket. Sourav Ganguly: Lord’s is your Mecca, Wankhede is ours. 3. MS Dhoni’s savage reply to journalist about his future plans Sam Ferris With MS Dhoni. (Photo Source: Twitter) One of the greatest personalities in Indian cricket, Dhoni’s international career will be remembered for many reasons. The former Indian skipper possesses a cucumber-cool mind which helped him torment several prominent oppositions. However, there have been some instances when Dhoni seemed annoyed. During the fag end of his career, the Ranchi-born cricketer was constantly asked about his retirement plans. The same happened when India lost to West Indies in the semi-final of the 2016 T20 World Cup. Addressing media after the game, Dhoni was asked about his future plans by an Australian journalist named Samuel Ferris. In order to have some fun, the then Indian skipper called the journalist behind him and made his point crystal clear. Here’s how the conversation unfolded. Journalist: Do you think you can continue playing on after this tournament? Dhoni: Come here! Come please let’s have some fun. Please come. Then Dhoni proceeds to ask: You want me to retire? Journalist: No! No! Dhoni: I was hoping it was an Indian media guy, because I can’t really say if you have a brother or a son who can play for India or is a wicketkeeper. But do you think I am unfit? Journalist: No. Dhoni: How is my running? Journalist: Very fast Dhoni: You think I can survive until the 2019 World Cup? Journalist: Sure, yes! Dhoni: Then you’ve answered the question you fired the wrong ammunition at the wrong time. 2. Venkatesh Prasad vs Aamir Sohail Venkatesh Prasad and Aamir Sohail. (Photo Source: Twitter) A lot is at stake whenever arch-rivals India and Pakistan lock horns over the 22 yards. After all, both nations are flooded with cricket-crazy fans. The intensity gets even higher when the occasion is a World Cup match. The two teams were up against each other during the second quarter-final of the 1996 World Cup. Chasing 288 at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the Men in Green got off to a stellar start with openers Aamer Sohail and Saeed Anwar attacking bowlers from the outset. While Anwar got out for 48, Sohail slammed a brilliant fifty. The Pakistan skipper was on a roll and he tried getting under Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad’s skin in the 15th over. After smashing the pacer for a boundary, he tried to intimidate Prasad by pointing his bat at the same region. However, the Indian fast bowler came up with a fitting response by shattering his stumps in the very next ball. The Men in Blue eventually won the game by 39 runs. 1. Yuvraj Singh six sixes against Stuart Broad Yuvraj Singh. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh scripted history during India’s clash against England in the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007. He became the first batter to smash six sixes in an over of a T20I match. Although fast bowler Stuart Broad was the victim of Yuvraj’s carnage, the fire was ignited by England skipper Andrew Flintoff. Moments prior to the 18th over of Indian innings, Flintoff and Yuvraj engaged in a verbal altercation. The latter was evidently annoyed by Flintoff’s remarks and what followed next was history. He smashed a young Stuart Broad for six maximums. In the process, Yuvraj also brought up a 12-ball half-century, the fastest for anyone to date in international cricket. As a result, the Men in Blue advanced to 218/4, winning the contest by 18 runs.

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Ranking top 10 'thug life' moments in cricket history

Several savage moments have been witnessed over the 22 yards.

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