Cricket’s non-contact nature is good, as it avoids physical altercations between players. However, the intense battle of wits between bowlers and batters can still lead to heated exchanges. Umpires often intervene to maintain the game’s decorum. Nonetheless, cricketers have found ways to avenge on-field disputes through their performances, much to the delight of the crowds. Here are five of the most memorable revenge moments in cricket history, spanning all game formats.
1. Kesrick Williams vs Chadwick Walton
In CPL 2017, Chadwick Walton took revenge against Kesrick Williams after the bowler mocked him with his celebration. Walton hit Williams for 23 runs in an over and mocked him with a similar celebration. Walton scored 84 runs off 40 deliveries, hitting Williams out of the park until the end of his spell.
2. Venkatesh Prasad vs Aamir Sohail
The 1996 India-Pakistan World Cup quarterfinal saw Aamir Sohail hit Venkatesh Prasad for a boundary and then signal him with the bat. However, Prasad responded aptly by dismissing Sohail at the next ball and gesturing for him to return to the pavilion. This dismissal turned the game around, and India emerged victorious by 39 runs, securing a place in the semifinals.
3. Andrew Flintoff vs Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh responded to Andrew Flintoff with a stunning display of six sixes in an over during the 2007 T20 World Cup. The exchange of words seemed to have fired up the Indian cricketer. Stuart Broad was the bowler on the receiving end of Yuvraj’s onslaught.
4. James Anderson vs Mitchell Johnson
Mitchell Johnson’s 37 wickets in the 2013/14 Ashes series is well-known, but an incident involving James Anderson and Johnson in the first Test set the tone. Johnson’s words rattled Anderson, but he replied by yorking Harris on the next delivery. This motivated the Barmy Army to take over from Anderson. Johnson continued the battle by rattling Anderson’s middle stump in the next Test cricket Match.
5. Andre Nel vs S Sreesanth
In 2006, Sreesanth’s remarkable performance in the first Test of India’s tour of South Africa was overshadowed by a humorous incident. After a verbal exchange with Andre Nel, Sreesanth hit him for a six and celebrated with a dance on the field.
