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When Gambhir’s bat spoke loudly, but his elbow made bigger headlines vs Australia

Poulomi Chakraborty

Gambhir-Watson Clash (Source: @cricbhawana/x.com, @ICC/x.com)Gambhir-Watson Clash (Source: @cricbhawana/x.com, @ICC/x.com)

Just as no dish is complete without a pinch of salt, cricket loses its flavor without fierce rivalries. Over the years, across the formats, fans witnessed some gripping rivalries as the clashes became more interesting with some unmissable dramas.

In the red-ball arena, England and Australia have long served up endless cricketing drama with their fiery clashes. India and Australia share a similarly iconic rivalry, where fierce battles and on-field sparks ensure there’s never a dull moment.

The 2008 Border-Gavaskar Trophy witnessed a fiery clash between Gautam Gambhir and Shane Watson that has since become legendary, as the former Indian player received a match ban for inappropriate behavior on the field. Let’s revisit the moment.

Gambhir's elbow nudge to Watson sparks controversy

Known for their relentless sledging, the Aussies push every limit, only to be met by India’s roaring fight back, creating clashes that live long in fans’ memories. During the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2008, the on-field fiery moment became one of the biggest highlights of their decade-long rivalry.

Batting first, India stumbled with a few early wickets, but Gautam Gambhir soon seized control. With calm authority and impeccable timing, his masterclass put the Australian bowlers under relentless pressure. As the former Indian opener was proving costly over the Aussie bowlers, Shane Watson tried to shake Gambhir’s focus.

The Australian star hurled relentless taunts, but Gambhir remained resolute, eyes locked on his mission. By the 51st over, the tension reached its peak. Gambhir struck back with a sharp response, deliberately nudging Shane Watson on the elbow while running between the wickets. That move by the Indian opener didn’t go unnoticed.

One elbow nudge, two costly punishments

As the moment added endless drama in the match, both stars faced massive setbacks. After both players collided, the umpire stepped in, but the Aussie stars complained. When it was proved it be all intentional, ICC promptly took action. After Shane Watson was fined 10% of his match fees, the punishment turned out to be harder for Gambhir.

ICC imposed a one-match ban on the Indian opener. The incident quickly became one of the most talked-about and unforgettable moments in the storied India-Australia rivalry. While the on-field controversy grabbed headlines, Gambhir’s commanding double century against a fearsome Australian attack has become truly iconic.

After Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid’s early dismissals, Gambhir showcased grit. His 206 runs in 380 deliveries with 26 boundaries and one over-boundary pushed the side towards a formidable total.