IPL Throwback: 5 times players lost their cool

NEW DELHI: As the countdown to 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) begins, the buzz is all about fresh rivalries, big hits, and title dreams. But beneath the glitz and glam, the IPL has also served up some heated moments that reminded everyone.
Here, TimesofIndia.com takes a look at five unforgettable instances when IPL players let the pressure -- or passion -- get the better of them:

The most infamous moment in IPL history came in its very first season. After a match between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab, Harbhajan Singh allegedly slapped Sreesanth during the post-match handshake.

The visuals of a teary-eyed Sreesanth went viral, and Bhajji was handed a season-long suspension. It set the tone, with the incident getting labelled as the infamous "Slapgate".

Two intense competitors, one heated rivalry. In 2013, a fiery on-field exchange between Kohli and Gambhir during an RCB vs KKR clash nearly came to blows.

A decade later in IPL 2023, they clashed again -- this time when Gambhir (mentor of LSG at that time) and Kohli exchanged heated words post-match. Cooler heads had to intervene both times, but the fire between these two continues to smoulder.

In a charged face-off between MI and RCB, Starc bowled a bouncer and exchanged words with Pollard. What followed was pure chaos -- Starc ran in aggressively again, and Pollard pulled away last second, only to fling his bat in Starc’s direction in anger.

It was a rare moment of Pollard losing composure, and both players were fined heavily.

Cool. Calm. Composed. That’s MS Dhoni, right? Well, almost always. But in a 2019 game against Rajasthan Royals, even Dhoni reached boiling point.

Unhappy with a no-ball call reversal during CSK's tense chase, he stormed onto the field mid-over to confront the umpires — a rare and shocking outburst from Captain Cool that stunned fans and pundits alike.

In one of the most dramatic finishes in IPL history, Mumbai Indians faced Rajasthan Royals in a virtual knockout in 2014, needing to chase down a daunting 190 in just 14.3 overs to qualify for the playoffs. What followed was pure chaos -- MI pulled off the near-impossible thanks to an Aditya Tare six off the final ball that sealed their qualification on net run rate.

But beyond the math and madness, it was the sight of the ever-composed Rahul Dravid -- sitting in the RR dugout -- furiously hurling his cap to the ground that captured the emotional toll of the moment. For fans, it was a rare glimpse of The Wall cracking under pressure.
These incidents, though controversial, are a reminder that the IPL is more than just big sixes and colourful jerseys. With reputations on the line, national teammates turning into franchise rivals, and every run, wicket, and decision scrutinised -- tempers can and do flare.