Former India opener Virender Sehwag on Tuesday said the Australian players were scared of sledging Virat Kohli and Co. in the recently-concluded one-day international series due to the possibility of losing out on their lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) contracts.
Sehwag said the Aussies, who were thrashed 4-1 in the five-match series, restrained from getting involved in verbal volleys because of the fear that they might not earn mega money in the IPL auctions scheduled for next year.
"They (Australian players) are scared because of the next year's mega IPL auctions. If they had sledged the Indian players in the ODI series, then the Indian franchise owners might think before bidding high for the Australian players... This can also be a reason for them not to get involved in sledging with their Indian counterparts," Sehwag revealed during India TV's hugely popular "Cricket Ki Baat" show.
The rivalry between India and Australia is second to none and over the years, it has grown more traditional with the intensity right up there as a lot is always at stake. Not to forget the passion and frayed tempers, a testimony to that was the Test series that India won 2-1, earlier this year.
A huge row erupted during the second Test in Bengaluru when Australia captain Smith looked towards the dressing room for assistance on a DRS call after he has adjudged LBW by umpire Nigel Llong at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Smith later admitted to looking towards their dressing room and described it a "brain fade" moment. As the issue threatened to escalate, the ICC intervened and brokered peace without penalising anyone.
However, the Australians - usually fierce and aggressive - looked scared and out of confidence during their ODI drubbing.
Sehwag, who is India TV's cricket expert, said the "brain fade" incident might have kept the Australians quiet this time.
"I think the Australian team was playing under pressure because they don't have all the great players now. Their team was dependent on two or three players - David Warner, Steve Smith and Aaron Finch. Out of these three players, Smith couldn't do much. Also, I think the fair amount of criticism which Smith received due to some of his actions, including the "brain fade" moment during the Test series created the pressure on them," Sehwag said.
(Watch the full Virender Sehwag Interview on 'Cricket Ki Baat' show today at 7 PM)
