Mumbai: After winning WTC 2025, South African captain Temba Bavuma called out Australia’s distasteful sledging, revealing how they were targeted with ‘chokers’ remarks. The captain said, “While we were batting, we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word. We came in with a lot of belief and a lot of doubters. We got ourselves into the final, and there were doubters as to the route we took. This win squashes that. Here’s an opportunity for us as a nation, divided as we are, to unite.”

This callout brings back memories of some of the biggest sledging moments in cricket’s history. Here’s a look at the seven greatest cricket sledges:

  1. Viv Richards and Merv Hughes: During the much-anticipated five-match Test series between Australia and the West Indies in 1991, Hughes performed uniquely and stared at Richards after every shot. Richards lost his calm and said, “Don’t you be staring at me, man. This is my island, my culture. And in my culture, we bowl." Ïn return, Hughes said, “In my culture, we just say fuck-off.”
  2. Mark Waugh and James Ormand: During the 2001 Ashes series, Waugh sledged debutant Ormond, and said, "What are you doing here? There's no way you're good enough to play for England". Ormond responded slyly, saying, "Maybe not, but at least I'm the best player in my own family,".
  3. Daryll Cullinan and Shane Warne: In a Super-Six clash during the 1999 World Cup between Australia and South Africa, after Cullinan came to the wicket, things got heated up between the arch rivals. Warne mockingly said, “I’ve been waiting two years to get another chance to humiliate you,” to which Cullinan retorted, saying, “Looks like you spent it eating.
  4. Freddie Flintoff and Tino Best: In the first Test at Lord’s in 2004, West Indies player Tino Best came to play at a time when England were cruising to victory. Freddie Flintoff famously quipped, "Mind the Windows". Best, riled by the comment, attempted a big hit on the next ball but was stumped.
  5. Harbhajan Singh vs Andrew Symonds: Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh and Australian Andrew Symonds got into a violent argument during the 2007–08 Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), which is also known as the infamous Monkeygate episode. Symonds claimed that Singh had called him a "monkey" and used racial and disparaging terms during the second Test match in Sydney.
  6. Rishabh Pant vs Tim Paine: During the BGT 2018-19, a famous banter was exchanged between Paine and Pant. First, Paine teased Pant with triggering comments while batting, following which the wicketkeeper wittily said from behind the stumps, “Have you heard the word temporary captain ever? You [Jadeja] You [Jadeja] don’t need anything to get him out. Come on, lads.”
  7. Ravichandran Ashwin vs Tim Paine: During the 2020-2021 BGT series, in the Sydney Test, Tim Paine engaged in sledging Ravichandran Ashwin. In the verbal exchange, which was captured by the stump mic, Paine told Ashwin that he was looking forward to facing the latter at the Gabba.

Although there are no clear rules that penalize sledging in cricket, if sledging escalates into racist or personal abuse, the offending player is questioned and disciplined per the applicable ICC norms of conduct.

The 1991–92 season was one of the first times an Indian cricketer was sledged. Australian fast bowler Mike Whitney played as a substitute for India during their tour of Australia. When the Indian all-rounder Ravi Shastri played a ball toward Whitney and considered taking a single, the latter caught it and said, "Stay in your crease or I'll break your f***ing head."