Top 5 instances when Indian players got engaged in serious on the field fights

Indian players have been involved in several on the field incidents of late.

Cricket is often described as a game of skill and strategy, unlike games like football, which require a high amount of physicality. However, in recent years the intensity of international competition can sometimes push emotions to the forefront. Modern-day games put acute pressure on a player’s psyche, and hence verbal exchanges as well as close physical contact are very commonly seen in players who fail to keep their frustration and emotions in check. 

Indian cricket also comprises such players and has witnessed several such moments in recent years. While some incidents remained limited to a heated exchange, some often attracted disciplinary attention because the players’ actions were highly questioned as per the ICC regulations. Here are five such notable instances that involved Indian players. 

5 instances of Indian players losing their cool on field:

5. Virat Kohli vs Sam Konstas – 2024

Famously renowned for his aggressive nature Virat Kohli had one of the ugliest tiffs of recent times during the final series of his Test career. During the India tour of Australia Border-Gavaskar Trophy match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2024, Virat and Australian debutant Sam Konstas had a tense confrontation. 

While crossing paths the two players made contact on the pitch, which led to the escalation of the matter. Kohli was sanctioned by the ICC and was fined 20% of his match fees while also being handed a demerit point. 

4. Gurnoor Brar vs Ben Duckett – 2026

During the opening ODI between India and England in 2026 at Edgbaston, Gurnoor Brar, the newly appointed fast bowler of the Indian side, engaged in a heated exchange with English opener Ben Duckett. Duckett hit Brar for a boundary and a six, after which the Indian pacer could not hold on to his frustration and instead threw the ball at the batter. 

Brar later dismissed Duckett and celebrated intensely in front of him. The ICC subsequently issued Brar an official warning and handed him a demerit point. 

3. Arshdeep Singh vs Daryl Mitchell – 2026

During the T20 World Cup final of 2026, Arshdeep Singh was involved in another controversial moment with New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell. Though India looked in control of the game, Arshdeep Singh’s throw struck Mitchell and it followed with a tense exchange between the two before Arshdeep apologised. 

Despite the apology, the incident drew the ICC’s attention, and a 15% fine alongside a sanction was imposed on Arshdeep Singh as per the ICC Code of Conduct. 

2. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vs Vishen Halambage – 2026

An incident involved India’s teenage batting sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, when he, during the India A vs Sri Lanka A match in a tri-series, exchanged a few words with Sri Lankan youngster Vishen Halambage following a dramatic super-over finish. 

The incident attracted considerable attention as the matter escalated to physical contact between the two players. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia then urged India A cricketers to focus solely on cricket and avoid any such distractions. 

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Asitha Fernando – 2026

The India tour of Sri Lanka’s second Test in Colombo marked an ugly confrontation between Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lankan pacer Asitha Fernando, after the pacer dismissed the Indian batter, having the last laugh after being hit for three boundaries. 

Jaiswal provoked, turned back to confront the pacer, who then locked horns with the Indian batter. The matter escalated to physical contact when the Lankan skipper Dhananjaya de Silva stepped in to separate the two. The incident had its implications even after the day’s play ended on the field. 

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