Sunil Gavaskar Compares Kohli-Head Incident to 1981 MCG Walk-Off
Virat Kohli and Travis Head incident ‘nowhere to be compared’ against infamous 1981 MCG Test ‘walk-off’: Sunil Gavaskar

Image: Hindustan Times
The recent on-field tension between Indian cricketer Virat Kohli and Australian player Travis Head during an RCB-SRH match has sparked comparisons to the infamous 1981 MCG Test incident involving Sunil Gavaskar. Gavaskar downplayed the Kohli-Head incident, stating it is 'nowhere to be compared' to the historical walk-off event.
- 01Virat Kohli ignored Travis Head during the handshake after the match, escalating tensions.
- 02Sunil Gavaskar, reflecting on the 1981 MCG incident, emphasized that the current situation is not comparable.
- 03Gavaskar noted that stump mics today capture more on-field interactions than during his playing days.
- 04The 1981 incident was fueled by aggressive behavior from Australian players, particularly Dennis Lillee.
- 05India won the 1981 Test match, marking a significant victory on Australian soil.
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The rivalry between India and Australia flared up during a recent match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), where Virat Kohli and Travis Head exchanged barbs, culminating in Kohli ignoring Head during the post-match handshake. This incident drew parallels to the infamous 1981 MCG Test, where Sunil Gavaskar almost withdrew his team after a contentious LBW decision. Speaking on the Midwicket Stories talk-show, Gavaskar, who captained India during that match, stated that the current incident lacks the intensity of the 1981 walk-off, emphasizing that 'nothing similar happened.' He reflected on the heated nature of international cricket, noting that modern technology like stump mics exposes more on-field interactions than in the past. Gavaskar's anger in 1981 was directed not at the umpire's decision but at the aggressive response from Australian players, particularly Dennis Lillee, after a successful opening partnership with Chetan Chauhan. Ultimately, India triumphed in that match, securing their third Test win on Australian soil, a significant achievement for Gavaskar's captaincy.
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The ongoing rivalry and incidents like these can influence player behavior and public perception of sportsmanship in cricket.
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