AUS v IND 2020-21: ‘No room for abuse, plenty for banter’ – Justin Langer ahead of India series

Australia versus India clashes have witnessed intense verbal exchanges in the last few years.

Virat Kohli and Time Paine had shared a verbal exchange in the 2018-19 series | GettyAustralia coach Justin Langer said Wednesday (November 25) made it clear that verbal abuse won't be tolerated during the upcoming series against India.

In the last few years, Australia versus India clashes have witnessed intense verbal exchanges and left-handed opener David Warner recently said he expects Virat Kohli's men to wind him up during the tour.

See Also: Tim Paine terms Virat Kohli as a polarizing personality in Australia

However, Langer said the hosts would keep any exchanges within the spirit of the game.

"There's plenty of room for banter, having fun and having that competitive instinct but there's no room for abuse," he told reporters on a conference call.

Langer took charge as a coach after the infamous ball-tampering scandal, involving the Australia team.

He said the culture of the team, once notorious for sledging and verbal abuse, is different now.

"Anyone who's watched what's happened in the last couple of years (can see), we've talked about our behaviours on and off the field," he said.

That does not mean the series won’t see any drama, with Langer pointing out a heated verbal exchange between Kohli and Australia skipper Tim Paine during India's last tour.

"We loved what Virat Kohli was doing, there was a great sense of humour and a great sense of theatre to it all," he said.

Team India will face Australia in three ODIs, three T20Is and four Tests during the tour Down Under.

The three ODIs will be played from November 27 to December 2, while the T20I series will be held from December 4 to December 8.

The battle for the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy will kick-start with the pink-ball affair at the Adelaide Oval on December 17. Melbourne will host the second Test from December 26 while the third and fourth Tests will be played in Sydney Cricket Ground (January 7-11) and Brisbane's Gabba (January 15-19), respectively.

(With AFP inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 25 Nov, 2020

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