The India-Australia rivalry produced another interesting chapter during Day 3 of the on-going fourth Test in Dharamshala. And by rivalry we aren't referring to the action between bat and ball.
The current series, like all clashes between the two sides, has been full of acrimony. And Monday morning witnessed another episode of fiery words being exchanged between players from both sides.
India started the day trailing Australia's first innings total of 300 by 52 with four wickets in hand. With the all-important first innings lead up for grabs, both teams were fired up.
The hosts got off to a better start, with Ravindra Jadeja smashing a flurry of boundaries and his partner Wriddhiman Saha also going steadily at the other end. With their lead vanishing quickly, the Aussies decided to resort to a tactic that come most naturally to them - sledging.
Captain Steve Smith (standing at slip) and wicket-keeper Matthew Wade got involved in a bitter war of words with Jadeja in a bid to unsettle him. Wade said something to the Indian all-rounder and got it back with interest.
Clearly taken aback by Jadeja's sharp response, here's how Wade and Smith took forward the conversation:
Wade: Wait till you come down here and say it. (Jadeja was standing at the other end of the pitch)
Jadeja: *Says something inaudible*
Wade: Say it when you come down here, mate.
Umpire Ian Gould: Woah woah woah! Excuse me. Ravindra! Come here. Now, there's no point in starting something.
Jadeja: If he starts it, I'll give it back. I don't care.
Wade: No no, now go on and get a selfie with him at the end of the game. (One of his team-mate bursts out laughing loudly)
Gould: All right, let's finish now please.
Wade: Put it on Instagram as soon as the game finishes.
Smith: You know this is his last Test for a while. They go away now.
Gould: Mate, are you going to stop that?!
Wade: Careful of that sword too haan (referring to Jadeja's sword-wielding celebration)
The conversation moves to the next over where Jadeja is now on strike...
Jadeja: I don't understand why the Australian selectors pick you (Wade) for Test matshes.
Wade: Is that right? I don't understand why they pick you outside India.
Jadeja: You don't deserve to play in white clothes.
Wade: How come you don't get picked? Why is that?
Smith: You don't deserve to play anywhere but here.
Jadeja: I play in India.
Nathan Lyon bowls the last ball of the over. Wade starts walking to the other end of the pitch saying, "Well bowled Gary. You're good in all conditions." He then reaches his spot and says, "These two will play. Like every other time they go overseas."
Jadeja soon completed his second successive half-century and celebrated in his trademark style. The sword was out, with more venom than ever. The emotion on his face and in his body language was hard to miss.
Here's a video that shows what happened on the field:
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