Sunil Gavaskar Tries to Walk Off with Partner — MCG 1981

During the 3rd Test between Australia and India at the MCG in 1981, Sunil Gavaskar was given out LBW to Dennis Lillee for 70 off a delivery that he believed hit his bat first. Gavaskar was incensed by the decision and, in an extraordinary act of protest, tried to convince his batting partner Chetan Chauhan to walk off the field with him.

Gavaskar actually began walking toward the pavilion with Chauhan alongside him, apparently intending to forfeit the match in protest against the umpiring. Indian team manager Shahid Durrani ran onto the ground and intercepted the pair, convincing Chauhan to turn back and continue batting. Had both batsmen left the field, India would have forfeited the Test.

The incident was remarkable coming from Gavaskar, who was generally regarded as one of cricket's most composed and dignified players. It highlighted the extreme frustration players felt with umpiring decisions in the pre-DRS era, particularly touring teams who often felt they were on the wrong end of home umpiring bias. Gavaskar later expressed regret about the incident, acknowledging it was an emotional reaction that could have had serious consequences for Indian cricket.