But to imagine that the Board will support you even when you are in the wrong is not good for the game. There is an argument for punishing both the one who reacts to a provocation just as much as the provocateur himself. But the law goes by action, not by intent, and by reacting physically in a non-contact sport Gambhir has brought it into disrepute. He is young, and will learn, but only if he is forced to pay the price for crossing the line. If the Board allows him (and others like him who react in the heat of battle) to get away, it would merely be planting a seed for worse to follow.

Gambhir need not look beyond his former skipper Kumble for an example of someone who was tough without getting physical, and gave as good as he got without bringing the game into disrepute. If the example set by men such as Kumble and Sachin Tendulkar has to influence the next generation, it is necessary for the Board to play its role. It exists for the players, but it also serves a higher purpose, to preserve the purity of the game itself.

By reducing every engagement into a battle of egos, by striving desperately to show that whatever happens the BCCI is boss, the governing body appears immature and driven by short-term populism. If the BCCI is genuinely concerned about the Code of Conduct, it should take it up with the ICC at the right forum and not react every time an Indian is hauled up. It hasn’t used the race card this time, so that is probably progress of sorts.

Some day the other boards and the ICC will learn that the best way to handle a bully is to stand up to him. If the BCCI gets isolated, it will be the players who suffer, and the game itself - the officials can always go back to their regular office jobs.

I do agree to Mr.Menon's comments on this issue as BCCI should not intervene in every action where an indian cricketer is punished under ICC Code of Conduct. However,there were lot of other instances like johnson's verbal provocation,katich's purposeful irking,etc. to be considered under the same code of conduct.All these low profile dramas have made the gentleman's game under cloud of right perspective. India's fab five(sometimes except ganguly)has always kept the reputation and raised the spirit of game in right way. The new leadership, which we called aggressiveness, has made a direct impact on the discipline of players in the present stage which should be plucked out in the right from beginnining. But, where this ICC will go and what decision will take without the hands of BCCI powerful lobbying,is it good for cricket or not? Let the time will say you...

I think this is not a fair judgement. Coz watson influenced him to do so.

the point here is not whether BCCI is right or wrong, of course what gambhir did is in not justified but that doesnt mean you can let someone like shane watson go off lightly when he is the one who provoked.

The one who made him react should also be pay the same price. Until unless that is NOT done, it is definitely injustice.

What BCCI is doing is to protect its own players...which by all means is fair. Same thing Aussies or others board would do...
Also, its time to consider verbal abuse on the par with physical abuse. Gambhir played wonderful cricket all throught out the day that also included the constant bickering remarks and verbal abuse by the aussies..any normal person would have lost his cool. Any kind of verbal abuse leading to physical contact is an offence that should be taken at the same par as the physical contact. Sadly ICC and the rest are being blind to this fact.A fair judgement would have been Watson & Gambhir having a test ban each.

We take your point for a moment. Could you then tell us as to why Katich got away with all the abuse that he gave to Gambhir. Why only 10% fine to Watson for deliberately blocking Gambhir's way (that is maybe non contact too)>

This was expected from the BCCI, wasn't it? Although I'm surprised to know that the player wasn't given a personal hearing. When a case is re-adjudicated, as it was in this event, both parties are normally heard in detail and then a decision is made.

However, it serves Gambhir right. As MSD said a few weeks back, players won't learn discipline till they get penalized suitably. The sad part is that India's opening partnership, one which has caused the Aussies so much grief, would be disturbed. Would it be prudent to let a rookie face them in the series clincher? I would rather have called in Akash Chopra or Wasim Jaffer, who have experience and the requisite big-match temperament. I predict a series leveling win for the Aussies,purely because of Gambhir's absence!

I totally agree! I saw the incident on TV and really there is no excuse!! If India goes on to lose this test match, it will be a valuable lesson!!

At the same, it really gets on my nerves when after every single delivery bowlers mouth off to the batsman. That has to stop! Otherwise, a batsman must also be allowed to mouth off to the bowler every single time he times the ball.

Basically in the good old days it was all very reasonable but the Aussies have taken this to a new level and everybody is following suit. Real pity.

While I completely agree that Gambhir deserves the ban, I am really surprised to find the one-sided reporting on this incident. While everyone is ready to criticize BCCI and Gambhir (and rightly so) very less is being said about the third rate tactics followed by Australians to win at all costs. Time and again they seem to resort to such tactics when things dont go their way. I wonder why this is not being highlighted by the aussie media and aussie supporters. One should remember when Zidane was condemed for head butting matarazzi, matarazzi drew equal flak for the provocation. I am dismayed at the lack of fairness shown by media and aussie supporters in this issue. As Dhoni said last year, such things force other team to master the art of sledging without getting caught. It's a shame for cricket and I hope India respond by playing good and fair cricket against the aussies in the last test.

how can you say who is wrong and who is right? I mean what words draw the line that are acceptable and unacceptable. since this Austarlian wrote so much about cultural differences, why can't just they understand that what they say might be offence to some and what we may say might be offensive. instead, why can't they just up and play.

Well said Suresh! Gambhir is at fault, provoked or unprovoked. Cricket is a non contact sport and has to be played like that.

.."But to imagine that the Board will support you even when you are in the wrong.." the thing is India was also in the wrong in Sydney

Suresh,I am sure you will have a plethora of mails calling you every name under the sun. I have been called names just because I dared to suggest that xyz was better than abc (the Indian icon), based on unassailable figures, in my "It Figures" blog.
However you have called the spade as it is and not try to sweep the dirt under the carpet. Gambhir and other younger players should not think that their objectionable behaviour is acceptable. This has nothing to do with Watson. It is Gambhir's behaviour which is under question.
It is time the boards & ICC stand up and fight the bully.
I cannot think of a worse case of kow-towing to the financial muscle than New Zealand board's abominable treatment of one of their greatest ever bowlers, Shane Bond. Instead of selecting Bond and telling BCCI to go and fly a kite, they unceremoniously dropped him, so that their own share of the gold would not be lost.
When Ranatunga shows some fight, he is bullied by all, SLk included. CA is no less a culprit.

It is all very well for the match referee to penalise the Indian cricketers for perceived breaches of the codes of conduct. Why was Mitchell Johnson not punished for his unprovoked and unwarranted attack on VV Laxman in Delhi Test while Zaheer Khan was fined 80% of match fee for a similar offence in Mohali?

I agree with this post wholeheartedly. I disagree with the 'kneejerk' sentiment that Gavaskar tends to send out about these situations being a double standard towards Asian. I think the case is quite clear - in spite of all the provocation cricket is not and should not be reduced to a contact sport the way Gambhir did. And he was rightly punished for that. Now take that as a man and find some maturity in that process. End of story!

I have no problem with Gambhir getting banned. What about Katich? Wasn't he bringing the game to disrespute? See the fuller picture.

That Gambhir should receive a one-test ban is indisputable. The BCCI is not even disputing it. What it is disputing, and rightly so, is Gambhir not being given a chance to present his case.

There is no such thing as an open and shut case. Even the most blatant of criminals has a right to defend himself by law. Maybe not in your court Mr. Menon.

Well said Suresh.

We should discourage this sort of behaviour. We don't have to adopt all the tactics of the Australians if we want to be world champs.... let's maintain some respect and dignity.

HI,
Mr.Suresh Menon you are only talking about Gambhir elbowing Shane Watson, common man see the larger picture of what provoked Gambhir to do that.Australians were constantly saying things to him. Two guys Katich and Watson provoked him to such an extent for his reaction. Mr. Menon don't expect everyone to be a saint.Why there was no action taken on Katich and in 2nd innings have you seen what Mr. Mitchel Johnson was saying to Laxman, on top of it captain Ponting says he was just reacting to Laxman's comments in a News paper. wow, lovely, is it the place to react for Laxman's comments, mitchel should have written a coloumn in a newspaper reacting to Laxmans comments. Cricket ground is not the place to react about comments written in a News paper.
Grow up man, before saying, just check the larger picture of things which led to this situation.
BCCI have every right to protect his player, and you call this Bullying.

krishna mohan
bangalore

What in the wrld are you saying. Do read you article before you post it anywhere. You are trying to defend something that is unreasonable. Gambhir did the wrong thing and the ban is the appropriate thing for him right now. However, the issue about you raising about BCCI being a bully. You are definitely out of your mind. Why would Anil not have bcci's backing in sydney, it was a complete idiotic thing in world cricket and you making that bcci were being bully than, dude one thing to say to you, don't bother because we know Indians were right than not the Oz's. How about telling watson or katich or any other oz's like johnson to keep their mouth shut and play the darn game. If they keep up this bully talk than they will get it back. Oz's are good with their bully tactics and that should be stopped not he bcci for fighting for its players. However, you would never learn that as you have obviously not played against the oz's and taken their nonsense. A person with your status will nvr do.

I heartily agree with your article Mr. Menon. Being an Indian, it really is sickening to see the BCCI behave so immaturely and act the bully simply because they have the money. I love the Indian team, I follow their games religiously, and when they play all I see is the game. The BCCI take the joy away from the game with their juvenile behavior. Simply put, the BCCI are like a spoiled rich brat that needs to be put in his place, and the time to do so has long since passed, but I say better late than never...

Dear menon
I doubt your knowledge of not only the game but also of judgement. Ghambhir and Watson were equally guilty and the verdict should have been the same to both. Its just like a school fight and a naive teacher only seeing that the one crying is bullied and punishes the the one who is not. So I urge you to get back to your senses and write without prejudice. Why is it that always no matter what an Indian is always fined and the others(you should know who) get away with nothing or lesser fine. Please reply this or put this web comments if you have guts
The is not far when the opposite is going to happen. Amiiiiiiiiiiiiin
Kind Regards

Gahmbhir was not wrong go watch the reply and see who was wrong or who was right.

Well said. Keep fighting for what is right not for Indian cricket

Aw Cmon Suresh...may be Gambhir did it the wrong way. But I am surprised no one talks about Katich, Watson, the twenty something test old Johnson for instigating the indian players. Ofcourse Punter play it down. I ask myself how come Watson came away with 10% match fee. Would appreciate if you could munch some food for thought for the incessant talking. It is human to react. Some do it the physical way some abuse back. Look at what Zidan did in the world cup. The aussies might say, we dont go physcialy but then we abuse the indian players. Big shit or small shit..it is always shit!

Certainly, BCCI should stop such muscling around stuffs, Gauti did elbow and should have been shown red card if he was on a Football ground where he would have been sent off that game and missed the next.
Why arent BCCI bigheads understand that Cricket should be played with right Spirit. Aussies are awesome provokers, they know how to put opponents into the trouble, be it with thier game or with sledging. They dont get caught. Poor others who often land up with ICC punishment.
But again, Such ilicit act of elbowing opponents should be avoided and ban is completely right so that such thing doesnt set any precedence.

BCCI, Please keep all your power with you and put them for good use like the IPL and be an owner for another Franchise in AUstralia and England 20-20 competitions comming up.

LEave the ICC to handle such stuff....

Only intervene in things like Sydney
Thanks
-Ranga

I completely agree with this article about the nature of the BCCI (although the punishment to Gambhir is a little too harsh and unfortunate). As a more powerful board I feel the BCCI should act as a leader and role model not as a bully who wants his way every time. With the current power the BCCI has it can truly impact the game of cricket in a positive manner all over the world, with its enormous cash reserves the BCCI can help other boards all over to improve the standards of cricket and nourish talent. Unfortunately, as of now its more or less looking after its own interests and using the money to buy out votes in the ICC, the biggest example being supporting the Zimbabwe Board which can not even explain the huge discrepancies in its accounts where the officials are laundering huge amounts and its clearly obvious that money given to it by the ICC is used for anything but cricket. Why ban ICL and go to the extent of pushing other boards to ban their players if they play for IPL?

Spot on, everything iv been thinking about has been mentioned in this article. as a neutral i can say that gambir s behavior is outrages. he cannot control himself. im not saying that the Aussies are innocent here, they must have provoked him, but to take physical action against it, that's absurd. if BCCI keep on challenging the decisions of the umpires and the officials without seeing the obvious, the ICC will have to bend to them, because of there financial status. but truly enough the other broads will not keep shut when the same is committed from players of other countries, they might even give reference to this incident and sue the ICC. whats gonna happen to cricket then??? we dont want cricketers to be like soccer players.

i want to ask one question to Mr. Suresh Menon, what about the Autralian players who provocated Gambir? Don't you think this is also hampering the spirit of the Game. there must be some check to it as well.

You are right. BCCI, for sure, knows that the punishment meted out to Gambhir is just but the sole intention of appealing the verdict is to somehow make Gambhir play the last test match at Nagpur as he is in tremendous form and the australians are aurely wary of him.

Mr. Suresh, Its true that we live in the Land of Gandhi and show maximum restraiint. But if the other try to provoke you intentionally, that we have the right to pull him for this indecent action. I am of the opinion that what Mr, Gambhir has done is perfectly okay for this Australian Team. They try to win the matches at any cost. I personally request you not to act as the agents of Australian Team. We have still not forget Sydney drama. What this Australian has done is nothing new. Please don't behave like Indian Human Rights organization who always went to defend the terrorists and never comes when innocent people dies.

BCCI is not likea bully in class,It is like brighit student who is puinshed because the teacher(ICC) does not have capacity to control other bad students like Australia,match refree's ,As example in Sydney it was because of bad umprining and mistreatment of Indian players by Australians and provocation that led to India reacting in the manner which it did ,Then also there are instances where players like Sachin and Dravid have been fined by ICC for no fault of the same.And Gambhir was proved to do what ever he is doing so ICC has to lay down the rules in such way that boyth are puinshed equally.It always Indians been the reactor and not the intiator and to me intiator should be puinshed more that prior.So when the teacher is not righit in laying down the ground rules how can u blame a student for misbehavious.there should be rebels like Bcci to bring in the change .BCCI should infact pull out of ICC and form its own board with asian countires which strangle the money flow to ICC and di

Yes

Has anyone considered the possibility that the Australian players may have targeted Gambhir, knowing the past incident involving Gambhir and Afridi. It appears that Watson subtly moved towards Gambhir's path and waved is hand in front of Gambhir when he was on his way for the first run and then moved further towards what he expected would be Gambhir's path on the second run. At best The Australians were trying to get a run out by interfering with the runner, and at worst they were targeting a particular batsman by taking turns engaging him during runs (Watson, Katich, et al.) thus drawing a reaction, and then complaining about it. In hindsight Gambhit should have lodged an official compaint with the umpires about bowlers deliberately interfering in the runner's path.

Crap!! Total crap!! If anything we should tired with the Aussies' antics. Its one thing for a Glenn McGrath - with 500+ wickets @20+ average to have a 'little' go but totally unacceptable for Johnson or a Watson to sledge. Watson clearly provoked Gambhir; why not ban him too? So how is this quantified? Watson, by sledging and foul mouthing brougt only a 10% disrepute whereas Gambhir, by reacting brought a greater disrepute? ICC must change its laws - the provoked should getter lesser punishment than the provocateur. Anyway, the article makes a logical leap - Gambhir did NOT 'do it' to Afridi - Afridi did it to Gambhir. Wonder why you guys want everyone to be like Dravid, Sachin or Kumble. Why not like McGrath or Warne?

Even Uncle Tom would be proud of such an article.
poor Gautam Gambhir is in the wrong because he nudged watson with his elbow.
But Watson, who started this whole incident, gets off with a slap on the wrist.
And Johnson who abused Laxman on national television, doesn't even get that.
Or Simon Katich who deliberately obstructed Gambhir. Nothing at all again.
So Harbhajan gets banned. But Symonds and Hayden get a fine.
Remember Micheal Slater who fought with Dravid in the 2001 series? He didn't get punished either (He was suspended only after he objected to the censure)
How about McGrath who abused Sarwan freely in the WI. He got a fine too.
The Indians get caught, picked on and banned everytime. And the Australians, who behave boorishly, abusively and are alomost always instigators, get away with reprimands and fines.
This article is a disgrace!

Whatever support the BCCI is getting now is only because it holds the pot of gold but if they truly want to be Number One they need earn (not buy) respect from everyone. I truly hope they change their stance and thinking and do our country proud!!

Suresh's points are correct. It is high time that our officials, and for that matter some of Indian commentators, do not poke their nose into normal functioning of the officials. By trying to shield errant players they are setting bad example.

BCCI has the money. BCCI has the power. So they will bully. Open and shut case, as lawyers say.

The English and Australian cricket boards did it till the mid-90s and now its BCCI's turn. So whats the problem?

Yes a time might come when the BCCI will be isolated. So? They should behave like good boys when they have the power.

Hell, even when the Indian team plays well people refuse to praise their game and instead focus on the BCCI. Since they are so disliked they might as well go ahead and do what they want.

I find this article biased. Yes Gambhir is wrong and he got punished. Like any guardian, BCCI is entitled to defend its child/player. So why use the money/clout argument?

Katich was not even reported coz Ponting sucked up to the umpires and the world saw that too!! The only sane statement is : the best way to handle a bully is to stand up to him : I think Gambhir just did that. Indian team is finally doing it to the Aussies.

We are guilty as charged if we do it to teams like SA, NZ, Eng or WI.

There are no two ways about Gambhir's ban and in my opinion its right. But I feel quite inquisitive to know why people like Mcgrath are let off the hook even after the ugly incident of spitting on Brian Lara and Slater, even after abusing the on field umpire Venkat escaped without any penalty. Bhajji was subjected to a lot of trauma for using 'M' word against Symonds while Brad Hogg escaped punishment despite using a stronger 'B' word. In that context, I feel what BCCI is doing is right. Somewhere even we need to stand up and tell the world Cricket that Indians should be treated atleast on Par with their counterparts if not above. The day we get that respect in cricketing circles, I think we'll see a more mellowed down BCCI.

I think this is extremely unfair. I do not quite understand one guy getting fined 10% of the match fee and another with a test ban. This has always happened that asian countries have been targeted. They used to be docked overs for slow over rate when some countries used to escape it. No problem giving back a few

I agree absolutely. Gambhir's transgression is irrefutable. Its time to tell it as it is, and stop devolving everything into a long drawn "clash of egos" as you call it.
We need good tough cricket on the field. Enough of these shenanigans.
Let the battle between bat and ball do all the talking.

bcci`s tiresome bullying?????what about the erksome behaviour of umpires and match referees towards subcontinent teams which keeps going on and on and on... how come u don`t find that tiresome????zaheer khan jeers matthew hayden-80% fine,gambhir gets abused for 3 hrs nonstop on the field by shane watson--10% fine!!!gambhir retaliates---match ban and no hearing needed???/katich abuses---not reported,johnson abuses laxman ---reprimand!!!!same test match --but no equal treatment???and when the bcci flexes its financial muscle all u guys start shouting not fair?????,any subcontinent player complains on unfair treatment ---he`s a sore loser, if the australians or english do it---then u talk about poor umpiring spoling the game and changing results???this has what has gone long enough and is TIRING!!inconsistency!!!!!

Well looking at the disparity between the punishment given to zaheer khan and watson, it is good that BCCI is flexing its muscle. I would like to know what zaheer did 8 times more than watson to get 80% fine. How is it ok that abusing people verbally is fine. Just like Mr gavaskar says if it is not ok otherwise, it is not ok in cricket. Maybe that is how it works in aussie-land and they might shake hands after abusing each other. But people of asian subcontinent dont like that. It is a difference between cultures and ICC rules cant be based on one culture (western) alone. So im glad BCCI is flexing it muscle and it should do it more to get a review system going on the refrees as well.

Yes Gambhir in a way deserves his punishment but I believe all the fracas is only because Watson was left off with a 10% fine.Katich and Johnson weren't even reprimanded.It is this double standards that probably incensed the Indian players and BCCI and is what ICC should take care to protect against.Imagine someone like Johnson who was at Laxman's facc nearly every ball for a particular over.Had Laxman retaliated it would have become a big issue but since he didnt it becomes "just a little harmless banter". Oz teams always have a history of targeting opposition captains even before a series begins with comments and press releases.Now that they are getting a taste of their own medicine - Zak's statements abt de most defensice oz team etc are bound to touch a nerve and they hit back in the best way known to them, foul mouth and swear at the opposition team.If Indians are the only one's who should learn a lesson wat abt the ozs who've been at it for many generations now???

Absolutely agreed, they think that they should have their own set of rules for some unknown reason. Yet if Watson ELBOWED (don't forget that key aspect of this saga) Gambhir, the BCCI would be crying and whining until something major happened. They are a bunch of children, as only the immature set themselves rules apart from others. Infuriating? Sure... Surprising? Absolutely NOT. Tiresome, predictable and absurd. That is the BCCI in a nutshell.

Backyard bullies eventually get beat up by those that they relentlessly bullied. Once the bullied realise they can overcome the bully, the bully better look for a place to hide because all the hitherto bullied will now bully the daylights out of him.

Hussey in his comments clearly said tht they observed gambir is emotional n they wantedly induced him into tht act n thereby removing him from the final test. if tht is the case aus plays its cricket then one day it has to face the same thing. its not BCCI tht flexing its muscle the while board countries shuld understand who n how the situation arised before taking such pathetic decision

i agree that what Gambhir did was wrong but why is there different rules for players of subcontinent and that of outside countries. to take the example of zaheer khan. he was fined for aggressively going round hayden when he got out. however, no charges were brought out against Michael Johnson who repeatedly foul-mouthed VVS laxman and for which even umpires had to intervene in between and call Ricky ponting to calm his bowler down. If that was an Indian, will he had got away without a reporting to the match referee for such an indiscretion?? this is the important question to ask? Why are different yardstick applied to players from subcontinent as compared to those from outside?? this is what makes us all feel angry and upset about.

Not against ban on Gambhir.Can any organisation have rules against due process of law.That is ICC's rule.Punish but be fair.Why was Shane Watson not charged under level 2 of Code of Conduct-Verbals and showing gesture.If running around a batsman can result in fine of 80% raising hand to strike a batsman who is running should inoke a one match ban.If ICC does not change rule it punish instigator on same level as a reactor let forewarn that shortly we are going to have an acutal real fight on field.Who will start this. An Australian player, known bullies, as they get away with all sorts of abusing.One has come to play cricket and not hear four letter words against self or family.ICC should come out of it's shell and be realistic.Provoking is a grave offence and a mere token fine by this prejudiced match referee is not justice.Why not more referees from sub continent.

What do you say of Australian abusing Indians? What Katich did was not acceptable too for that matter.

It's plain racism. I am sure any white doing this would have gotten away!

agree with what u hav said but ozzies r doing these things sledging, racialcomments, staring, mind games etc everything shd stop.....icc must say step in and put an end to everything....and gambhir just stood to bullying by watson

looks like Mr Suresh doesnot understand that BCCI has protested the way the decision was made against the appeal. No chance for the player to defend himself. if he is banned after a fair chance to defend himself would have been the right thing.it is unfortunate that you have not got it right and instead crucify gambhir for his past and present actions and as if all the other country players are highly well behaved and no doubt people think Indians in general can be pushed around bcoz of this sort of attitude like menon has !!

Gambhir deserved it. Then, when was the last time an Aussie was punished?

Players shouldn’t be band for playing in the same series. Players should be allowed to play the series and band should be taken up in next series. This law can be miss-used against players inform. Opponent players can purposely provoke the players to get into misbehavior on the field.

Yes, its high time the BCCI stopped acting like a bully. They went overboard, after Sydney when it seemed the Australian tour would be called off, and now they have repeated themselves with Gambhir's indiscretion, irrespective of the provocation. Gambhir only had to look to Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and even Saurav Ganguly. They have played more matches than he has, and have faced more provocation than him. But never did either of them indulge in physical tackles. People will say that Watson has got away with a 10% fine. They forget that Gambhir was booked for a similar offence less than a year back. So he should have been more prudent in his way of response. As for Watson, he may face a similar reprimand, on a repeat so he will be on his diciplined best for some time now. People applauded the BCCI, for the way the stood behind their players in the Mike Denness case. Now, however BCCI are going overboard with money power, taking the wrong side again.

So swearing is allowed and unharmful slight contact is not ? Provocation is allowed and reaction is not? No denying your examples of Sachin and Kumble, but I think before Gambhir, the Aussies need to learn from those examples. Did Gambhir have such issues in Sri Lanka series? - No. My objective is not to defend Gambhir - but to point out the double standards. I also do not want to defend BCCI. BCCI has become an ugly monoplositic power wielding entity - and I think the ICC and the judge acted so swiftly so as to make sure Gambhir does not get to play the next match and teach the BCCI a lesson - after all in recent times, BCCI has been bullying ICC into submission on few issues. I think it is OK for BCCI to bully on occassions - after all Aussies and English bullied world cricket for long time. I think the author presented only one half of the story.
Anyway - if Gambhir does not get to play then I would vote for Ganguly to open and Badrinath to play at number 6. Don't let Dravid open.

I fully agree with Suresh. BCCI has always adopted a high-handed approach and seems to believe that it rules the cricketing fraternity (sadly, it does in some ways though). I feel sad about the way the BCCI handled the recent meeting with the ICL officials. BCCI should learn to use it's power constructively and work towards the benefit of the game that we all love. I love Indian cricket but hate the BCCI.

Standing up to a bully is exactly what Gambhir was doing. What everyone saw on TV but no commentator is highlighting is Watson impeded Gambhir and brushed against him on the first run so Gambhir made sure Watson would pay the price when again he came in the way on the second run. Why is Watson not banned for getting physical first and for impeding the batsman while taking a run - a serious offense under the laws of cricket. BCCI has not mentioned racism because we all know Indian players have problems only with white match referees while playing against white teams- you dont need to mention the self evident - the ICC is racist and is supported by a racist cricket media.

Well said. About time somebody explains that the I in ICC doesn't stand for Indian.
The Indians have been getting away with too much. Singh, Sreesanth, Gambhir to name a few: add them all up and you can see a pattern emerging of spoiled, out of control, players openly backed by an organisation that is more into popularity contests then playing cricket.

Sorry, but I dont agree.

You say "If the Board allows him (and others like him who react in the heat of battle) to get away, it would merely be planting a seed for worse to follow."

And if the ICC plans to let Watson away with 10% fine for constant sledging, its for the good. So that they will continue to sledge with the knowledge that its acceptable.

You say "But the law goes by action, not by intent, and by reacting physically in a non-contact sport Gambhir has brought it into disrepute."

But I also thought cricket is a gentleman's game. I never knew gentleman swear.

C'mon Mr. Menon. Although I agree with your view on BCCI, I don't agree with the article that you let Watson free because he did not physically engaged.

The cause has to be eliminated to eliminate the effect. Cause and effect theory Mr. Menon, forgot everything you studied, I guess.

Please go back to your college again.

ya now this is a best chance australia to win this comming match and still they can remove some more important player from indian side,AUS start to cry now

I totally agree with the author.. whatever may be the provocation, u should not react the way Gambhir did against watson. Hats off to ICC for standing up to big bully BCCI atleast once.

My dear Suresh Menon, first things first.
If Indian Board has not been standing up then by now all of the Indian stars would have been banned / punished in one way or other. Atleast board is standing up, it has money mainly due to interest shown by Indian crowd not at given by any one else, hence it will stand up for Indian players. Yes your type of Indian , as usual confused hence best to criticise Indian to get popularity among white skin people. Please remember that if Indian board has not been generating money, pushing for its players the baord had no money, hence cricinfo gives u pink slip

Hi,
Though i completely agree with the ban for Gambhir, it just confuses me that the aussie's (or even the english) never gets fined or banned for sledging. In our part of the world (and im sure you will agree) calling names is as bad as elbowing mildly!! Some of the words used by aussies (i dont want to use it here) for sledging is considered taboo in india, but then as per them thats what they call their friends Down Under!! Well its only after the "Mungey" gate incident i learnt that it is a racial word.. In india thats what i call my friends!! Bottom line..ban even sledging on the field and everything else will automatically stop. Its only natural when you target some one the whole day in the end they break and do something stupid like elbowing. Aussie's are masters at this. In Oz they targetted Mr.Sigh and now Gambhir. Yes, now and then BCCI looks like the bully but in my opinion its about time someone stands for the indian players! This is "new age cricket" from the indian camp.

Excellent article. The BCCI has become the game's bully. But they're nothing but a bunch of politicians who seem to be only interested in money. I believe the ban was justified, though I rue the fact that we will not get to see Gambhir in the last test and maybe see him make more than 500 runs in the series.

However the other issue that should probably be taken up with the ICC, probably at one of their meetings, is the discrimination of match refree decisions. If you look at the history of them over the last 10-15 years you'll see that it is usually the Asian players that are the target of harsher decisions whereas teams non-subcontinent teams get away easier. It's a matter of debate of course but I definitely feel it should be brought up and thrashed out.

mr. menon there is no denying that what ghambir did was wrong but you seem to have forgotten that shane watson got away with just 10% of his match fee. a very smalll penalty as compared to gambhir's. the decision would have been much fair if both watson & ghambir were find 100 % of their match fee as watson was not acting like an angel and it was he who instigated the whole incident. you can't have double standards. offten the aussies get away with much more seroius misdeeds and the indians get disproportionatwe punishment for reacting to them.

u r fuck** whn u write all this crap...fu** u bast***

Yes Mr. Menon but one should not forget he get continuously abused by Aus and Ricky Ponding not tried to restrict his team for that he should also be banned.

It is high time that India stopped acting like a big bully. Remember tht money cannot buy class and honour.

I do not agree with Suresh Menon's view. Even a criminal should be allowed the chance to defend himself. If he feels an order is unfair he should have the right of Appeal .
Here Gambhir and the BCCI just exercised their right . However even here justice was denied to them because Justice Sachs , the Appeals adjudicating Authority did not give Gambhir that right before pronouncing his verdict.

Mr.SURESH I AM AGREE WITH UR POINTS THAT GAMBHIR SHOULD BE BANNED BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHY THE MATCH REFREE CHRIS BROAD AND UMPIRES NOT NOTICED THE COMMENTS FROM AUSSIS WHICH CAUSE THE ELBOW INCIDENT.ANY BODY CAN UNDERSTAND THAT HOW HARSH THE WORDS AUSSIS WERE USING.
ACCORDING TO ME U R SIMILAR PERSONS WHO WON THE BOOKER PRIZE TO WRITE ABOUT THE POOR &ILLITRATE INDIA AND PRAISE THE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES FOR THEIR MODERN CULTURE THAT THOSE COUNTRIES ARE ALWAYS RIGHT.

If we focus on the treatment of the indivuduals involved we miss the point, the current stance of the BCCI is exactly as Suresh Menon portrays it and comes across to this Englishman as a heavyhanded attempt to establish itself, as opposed to the ICC, as the arbitrator of world cricket. The problem perhaps is that we have all come to see the ICC as impotent and are surprised when they take (appropriate) strong action.
Gambhir has history, the Afridi incident, and so now do katich and Watson; it will be interesting to see how any future misdemeanors on their part are treated.
Fundamentally, I applaud the Indian team for standing up to the Australian bully, the pity is that Gambhir took it too far when his bat was talking eloquently enough for him to have ignored the incident (and perhaps pointed the scoreboard out to Watson).
And looking forward to the final test here is one Englishman sincerely hoping that Laxman gets another double 100 (plus 100s to Sehwag and Tendulkar).

If we focus on the treatment of the indivuduals involved we miss the point, the current stance of the BCCI is exactly as Suresh Menon portrays it and comes across to this Englishman as a heavyhanded attempt to establish itself, as opposed to the ICC, as the arbitrator of world cricket. The problem perhaps is that we have all come to see the ICC as impotent and are surprised when they take (appropriate) strong action.
Gambhir has history, the Afridi incident, and so now do katich and Watson; it will be interesting to see how any future misdemeanors on their part are treated.
Fundamentally, I applaud the Indian team for standing up to the Australian bully, the pity is that Gambhir took it too far when his bat was talking eloquently enough for him to have ignored the incident (and perhaps pointed the scoreboard out to Watson).
And looking forward to the final test here is one Englishman sincerely hoping that Laxman gets another double 100 (plus 100s to Sehwag and Tendulkar).

The thing that used to differentiate cricket from other sports was participants always accepted the umpires decision, whether it was right or wrong.
Unfortunately this is now no longer the case & the poor example is being set by the recalcitrant BCCI.
Gambhir is lucky that he was not charged with a level 3 offense which would have seen him suspended for 2 or 3 Tests. There is no justification for striking a player. I have played League cricket in UK & Australia against players from all Test nations and found players from all nations engage in it. Please don't tell me that there is no sledging in Indian cricket and only the Aussies do it. Rubbish. The Aussies are better at it and are more disciplined in their reactions to it. Their discipline is what has made them the leading team for so long. When the Indians learn how to play disciplined cricket every game then may become the world's best. As long as the players and BCCI spit the dummy when penalised they will remain 2nd best.

Why is Katich being brought into this. Didn't Gambhir call him a f----- cheat? It can never be proven what is said when sledging is going on so to paint one team as the antagonizers is foolhardy. What can be proven is that body contact happened and not for the first time by this offender. I also find it interesting that most of the players getting upset this series weren't involved in the Sydney test. I really enjoyed the cricket between these two countries and hope the next test will be a classic.

I am not sure why you guys are getting patriotic in everything. Cricket is not a contact sport.. period. You should be able to talk back when you get any verbal abuse, cannot keep cribbing about provocation. Just grow up. Had Sachin or Dravid never faced provocation like this before?? BCCI is ridiculing itself by trying to flex its muscle if any of its players being punished. This should stop.

You all are saying as if Gambhir didn't made any verbal abuse. He was equally active in the verbal exchanges with others.

So many of the above comments are utter tripe! Physical content and sledging are NOT equivalent. Did Katich or Johnson hit / touch / contact Gambhir? Get some perpective, you lot! BTW, I do not condone sledging. It should be stamped out. But it is NOT equivalent to physical contact.

Its all words no one knows what was said Indian could of start the war of words, all i no is bcci are Bulling and icc are to scared to up hold the laws of cricket,

That's a load of bull. Zaheer got 80% match fee deducted for his behavior and Watson has to dock only 10%. Gambhir might have been in wrong, but that still doesn't call for the White boys to be let off easily. It's just racist.

This article lacks all sorts of objectivity and insight. In fact it borders on delusion and unintended humour and a pathetic go at an organisation struggling to raise it's image.

There wasn't a slight mention of the fact that Gambhir was constantly sledged all day, abused, shoulder barged and the rest, upon which he reacted.

There is no mention of the fact that the Australians would have reacted even more strongly than the BCCI did, and I personally believe that the BCCI has done very little compared to what they could.

There is no mention of the fact that Watson shoulder charged Gambhir.

There is no mention of the amount of abuses Katich threw at Gambhir before this incident.

There is no mention of the fact that the umpires did a shoddy job by not warning both captains when the chitchat continued.

I believe it was a deliberate attempt by the Aussies to target one man and stir up a response. How even our journalists are falling prey like lame ducks!

L

I think ICC's judgement would have been valid, if only the same criteria would hae been applied to Shane Watson. Even verbal abuse should have stiff penalties. I am sure the Aussies abusive talking is not necessary for the game. In this case Shane Watson clearly intended to physically obstruct him.
ICC has proved that it is against South Asians in general and Indians in particular - I would like to call it racism.

100% agree with the article and the ban. Physical contact cannot be condoned by taking refuge under verbal abuse dished out by opponents - I mean come on, get real - Gambhir is no babe in the woods, he was dishing out some sanskrit himself.

I agree with a ban for physical contact. There is no excuse for it. However, it is confirmed in the findings that Gambhir was subjected to constant verbal abuse. My question is, why didn't the umpires step in before the incident got out of hand. To them to say that if Gambhir had complained to them they would have acted to put a stop to it is a cop-out.

I am Indian but I am glad that Gambhir is being punished. If he gets away with this it will set a wrong example for youngsters to follow, which is bad for the game.
I suggest Indians stop supporting gambhir just bcos he is an Indian. I am not supporting any Australians here but if Gambhir was really pushed to the limit by the Aussies why the hell didn't he approach the umpires? He is known to be hot-headed and has been punished before and he still hasn't learnt from it. Let's hope he will learn at least this time.

All BCCI is saying is that Gambhir should have been provided an opportunity to present his case. Why is verbal abuse always instigated by the boorish Aussies OK? Why is physical abuse in retaliation considered a taboo? After all, it is human nature! Why was Johnson let off the hook for abusing Laxman just because he said that the Aussies have been defensive in the series in an interview? What gives the Aussies the right to abuse the opposition and still get away with it?

What happened to Laxman, he kept quiet, did the umpires or match referee punished johnson for his provocation, nothing happened, they will say it part of the game, Unless some one like gambhir retaliate. In any sport you cant abuse the opponents, dont you know mental distintegration is much more series and painful than the physical abuse. From now onwards any one can abuse the opponent using any language and the other party has to keep quiet fearing the ban and punishment, and anyone can raise the hand and show the fist and obstruct them from taking the run, as long as they are not in physical contact. Also BCCI is helping gambhir with the legal process, and he is indeed eligile to appeal, it doesn't mean BCCI is agreeing with gambhir's actions... know the facts clearly before stating anything...

Just for the record, were the Allied powers at fault and should they have been punished after the last big war because they reacted to provocation from Mr. H???????????????Gambir did what we all saw but the real culprits..... well?

Gambhir was specifically targeted since he was India's and overall best batsman (in terms of runs)in the series. Once they were able to whine and complain and get him banned, they tried the same tactic against Laxman (second highest in runs). The Aussies did the same to Harbhajan earlier in the year in Sydney. Each time the attack was totally unprovoked and each time they got off the hook.

GENTLEMEN
WHAT GAMBHIR DID WAS WRONG. FULL STOP. CRICKET IS A NON CONTACT SPORT. EVERYONE COULD SEE THAT HE DELIBARATELY ELBOWED WATSON. WHETHER HE WAS PROVOKED BY WATSON OR NOT IS IMMATERIAL. BY REACTING HE SHOWED THAT THE AUSSIES GOT UNDER HIS SKIN. BEST WAY IS TO KEEP QUIET & GET ON WITH THE GAME. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THE AUSSIES ARE THE BEST SLEDGERS IN THE GAME. 2 WRONGS DONT MAKE A RIGHT!! ACCEPT THE DECISION & GET ON WITH PLAYING CRICKET - THAT WAY WHEN INDIA WINS THE SERIES WITHOUT GAMBHIR, THERE CAN BE NO MUMBLINGS UNDER ANYONES BREATH.
GAMBHIR DESREVES WHAT HE GOT - HE IS AN ADULT! REMEMBER -STICKS & STONES WILL BREAK MY BONES BUT NAMES WILL NEVER HURT ME!!

Hi,I think you are right in some extent but,the australians are the ones whom you should blame.Australians are no saints,they play good cricket with bad character.They cannot digest if someone dominates them.It is clear from the video that the provocation led to that elbowing.What is the need for watson to provoke gambhir.If he is scoring let him score,cricket is about scoring runs and taking wickets.If he want to prove himself let him prove by taking wickets but not by provocation. ICC is rule by people with no brains.They don't know even that "prevention is better than cure".Let there be laws which make the player who provokes other is made responsible for what ever happens on the field because he is the person who starts everything.Or let make both the players equally responsible and impose equal punishment.If this is not been changed, many players will pay a visit to legal hearings and same reactions arises.

I completely agree that Gambhir deserves the ban for one reason that physical contact is the worst form to show how aggressive a person can be, If gambir would have given it back the way he was getting from aussies, infect his partner on the other end should have joined gambir to tacle them back if they were coming in group and we wouldn't have been waisting our time in this blog, BCCI's sporting gambir doesn't justyfies as harbajan/sreeshant's slapping incident has not gone very far behind and BCCI was the authority to ban herbajan for that incident. I love to see sledging on field but that should stay with in war of words, no matter what ever type of words, there shouldn't be any excuse of physical contact.

Mr. Menon, who are you trying to please by writing this 100% biased crap? Your Aussie media masters? So that you can rise in rank within cricinfo.com? You should remember that appeasers always get a raw deal.

this is totally wrong.
australiana from many years provoked other players.but they safe because no one complaint......
but when others do the same thing they compaint.and only indian subcontient players get punished

I completely agree that Gambhir deserves the ban for one reason that physical contact is the worst form to show how aggressive a person can be, If gambir would have given it back the way he was getting from aussies, infect his partner on the other end should have joined gambir to tacle them back if they were coming in group and we wouldn't have been waisting our time in this blog, BCCI's sporting gambir doesn't justyfies as harbajan/sreeshant's slapping incident has not gone very far behind and BCCI was the authority to ban herbajan for that incident. I love to see sledging on field but that should stay with in war of words, no matter what ever type of words, there shouldn't be any excuse of physical contact.

Australian team have been bullies for a long long time. Yet, ponting lectures about playing in the true spirit of the game. The rulings that I have seen so far, involving a sub-continent player and a player from teams like australia/england/new zealand/sa, the former has been handed bans, which makes this look like an one sided judgement.

Ghambir should be punished most severely, and Katich and Watson should also be reprimanded for unsportsmanlike behaviour. The usual blind Indian reaction, by both fans and the BCCI does the game or their own standing no favours whatsoever!

suresh is not fully correct.while it serves good for gambhir, how can watson go unpunnished?watson has provoked.whole world watson showing something by hand and saying something.watson shd have been punished.is it not a gameplan to provoke a good batsman and if he reacts he will be out of game?

All the world find fault with BCCI and Indian players and cric info so called editors/assoc. editors looks for every opportunity to put more dirt on that wher eever they can. The Gambir pleaded guilty which should not have been done. Of course the white supported ICC officials, did not find anything wrong with Kaitch and Johnson and Watson get away with 10% fee. evantually, the referee system should change where both the teams should agree on referee/appeals comissioner and certainly not racially motivated ICC dictates terms as a regime. Their urgency to get rid of Gambir for the fourth test, indicates how badly ICC wants Aus. t o win this series.

I don't know if any of you remember the match in which Zidane was sent off - if you understand my point. Was Materazzi guilty and should he have been punished? Does Materazzi kind of provocation happen regularly in test cricket and is physical response tolerable. Open and shut case, I guess

Guys, Just because someone verbally says something doesnt mean it can be threatened with Physical abuse. So question would be if a woman dresses so sexily and a guy rapes her, is the woman to be punished too for provoking the man to commit an act?

Watson was fined for his verbal abuse so he got his punishment but physical contact deserves a ban. Lats face it Gambhir is not an angel, he is a motor mouth and always looking to make trouble.

All this bias about Gambhir being banned sickens me. Naturally all of them saying unfair is you guessed it, Indians.

The guy deserved a ban and ofcourse the BCCI thinks it can pull out of its ass a victory. I am so glad the ICC stood their ground. The BCCI are a bunch of bandits and I am ashamed of them!!

Spot on as always, Suresh. I hope the ICC has the balls to stand up to the BCCI this time. What happened in Sydney was pathetic.

The only thing which has not been paid much notice in this issue is the fact that Shane Watson flapped his arm in front of Gambhir while the latter was taking the first run; Gambhir turned at the completion and let Watson have it during the second run. I haven't heard anyone mention what Watson did.

It appears that no matter what happens the Indian players are vitims, they have neither contributed to their own downfall nor been the villain of the piece.
At some point India might accept that with power comes responsibility, at the moment all we have is refusing to accept the umpires decision and truly amazing hypocrisy.

There is little difference between servility and humility as there is between being firm and being a bully.
I am no fan of Austalian arrogance and ego and am delighted to see the refreshing change in the Indian attitude of standing up to any nonsense dished out to them.
There is too much talk about cricket being a gentleman's game, with little thought or understanding. What is being a gentleman? Attempting to break heads with bouncers at 100 mph, a liberal and generous use of abusive language, being sore losers and using every below-the-belt technique available. Well, thats what the australians do. Gandhi never played cricket nor should cricket be played with his ideals.
Judging the righteousness of BCCI's actions is a sidewalk issue until CA openly agrees to it's players resorting to non-gentlemanly behavior every single time they are on the field. BCCI should twist every elbow it can find and every ball it can crush.
If we can dominate, we should. Anything else is neo-slavery

Gambhir is wrong. If he was being provoked he coulc have easily reported the matter to the umpire on the field. There are 2 umpires. He was also replying to the chit chat so how could he report? You got to see players like Sachin, Kumble and Laxman and behave accordingly and not like Harbhajan. It is a different matter that BCCI should take the matter up with ICC to stop this chat chat that leads to this ugly scenareo.

This whole incident makes my blood boil. Imagine, for a moment, if it was the other way around...Watson got a one match ban, and Gambhir a 10% fine. The whole (white) world of cricket would be bleating about double standards, inequitable treatment etc...it's still the same old same old, thinking that Indians are so 'polite' that they will put up with anything.

Zaheer fined 80% for celebrating a dismissal, Watson fined 10% for provoking contact. Nothing for Katich, who had to be separated from Gambhir by the umpire...and you wonder why Indians, and the BCCI, get uptight.

A very proud ex-pat Indian in the UK.

its funny how you write about bcci backing its player up for no reason. Can you please stop being unfair and mention that watson should get the same penalty. It is only a matter of time before player start being outright disgusting on the field with their verbal banter if the australians have not taken it that far yet. And then more incidents will follow unless its stopped. i am jst surprised to see the biased reporting. if you cant play then sledge. good tactic. errr no..O.0

Its injustice to Gambhir. Agreed what he did was wrong. The punishment would have been justified , if he had done it without any provokation from Watson , which was not the case. On the contrary Watson should have been given harsher punishment that Gambhir. The one test ban against 10% match free is absolutley illogical & nothing wrong in BCCI defending it.
Milind -- Bangalore

Sande Phatnane says that the BCCI protecting its own is just the same as any other board would do.

So what was CA doing, then, when they sacked Andrew Symonds for missing a team meeting? If any Australian player did what Gambhir did, there'd be no need for an ICC hearing - they'd lose their place in the team straight away.

Gambhir has no rights to even touch his opponents soo he deserves what he got where as Watson was only sledging soo he got his punishment and BCCI has no rights to protect their players if they are wrong

i agree it's wrong on the part of the BCCI to support Gambhir in this case, however i feel Watson has got away very lightly in this case and thats the reason Gambhir and the board is feeling cheated. I undertand Watson couldnt have been handed this kind of punishment but 10% of match fees??? common Mr.Match referee!!!

I agree with Menon. The test ban against Gambhir is absolutely justified as he is a brown skinned man. After all cricket is a white man's sport. How dare brownskinned teams like India seek to challenge the authority of white skinned Australians?

... the behavior of the BCCI is the same as the way any 'king of the hill' behaves. The BCCI is the new colonial power in cricket, in every sense of the word, and to some extent reflects and presages India's rise as a global power. I wonder why the rules should be any different now, when the boot is on the other foot. For people of European heritage to complain is nothing short of hypocritical. For Indians to contort themselves into fits of existential hysteria is absurd, putting woolly 'Indian values' above the reality of the new world order. I say get over it, and learn to live with the new big dog on the block... and if you are Indian, it is ok to allow yourself some perverse pleasure in all this spectacle :) Heaven knows others have been doing it, many times at your expense, for a long time.

Loved it ! at last BCCI has been shown that bullying aint work always, thank you very much. I understand the concerns of indian cricket supporter, but mates it is is for upholding the spirit of the game ! and indeed i agree..that it is not intent and provocation that counts, its the action. A very fine example is the last soccer world cup, Zidan was "provoked" and yet punished, remember? Again, well done ICC ! Now do take another step and "un-ban" ICL. Lotsa young and amazing players are going wasted !

Zaheer Khan gives send off- fined, mitchell Johnson repeatedly abuses verbally. fine, not fined.

Once again we see a flood of comments showing blind support for gambir. He barged into watson deliberately and admitted doing so. Cricket is a non contact sport. People are sick of the BCCI weasling out of judgements. This is Gambirs 2nd physical contact after the Afridi incident - case closed - serve the ban with humility.

Harbajan, Gambhir - what kind of cricketers are we allowing to represent our country? The Aussies are responsible for their players, the BCCI needs to be responsible for ours. If they can't do it, then we need to let the people who run the ICL take over. At least there's no slapping and elbowing of rivals in their league.

Sledging has been in the game from day one. It's become more intense over the years but there's no point in saying who does it more or less. Even as an Aussie supporter though, I do find it funny when the Aussies whinge about being sledged.

Having said all that though, sledgind tests a batsmen's ticker and focus at the crease. Gambhir had a great test and is a great player for all to watch in the future but put quite simply, he overstepped the mark. The contact was deliberate and unnecessary. Makes for an interesting final test!

Enjoy

Agreed Gambhir should be banned for a test for the conduct. However, the ban should come into effect against a team India plays next. Else it gives every reason for a team like Australia to take out any good or in-form player by psychological warfare rather than by the merit of their game. Unless this is applied, sledging will continue as a means to an end!

Absolutely and truly said Mr. Suresh. Our Indian team is undoubtedly the worst behaved team in the world. And this has started more so after winning the T20 world cup. Our players think that winning a world cup makes them come from some other planet and think that they are bigger than the game itself. On this account Australia are the best behaved as not only have they won innumerable world cups, they have won test matches against and in every country. But you don't see such horrible behaviour from them except they sledge the hell out of other teams. We jump at the Aussies whenever they open their mouths or sledge but in fact we Indians are the worst as far as onfield behaviour is concerned. But no, we like to typically blame others to hide our own sins and wrongdoings. BCCI wants sledging to be banned from cricket but then we are the worst sledgers of all. Our players shower abuses on the players’ mothers and sisters which the opposing players are not accustomed to our language.

Gambhir has been banned for one Test as punishment for his crime. This is as it should be. But justice will not be served until the Australians who caused him to commit the crime are also punished.

Suresh Menon is right. My fellow Indians why don't you get it. You cannot resort to violence no matter what the provocation. As a nation we are increasingly resorting to violence at the drop of a hat. If a minister misses a plane he resorts to violence, if a party does not like a book or movie it resorts to violence. ICC should send a strong message to every cricketer that any form of violence will not be tolerated. BCCI should not try to tear down the ICC but use its influence to build the ICC into an effective governing body. If BCCI and India continue on their bullying ways, sooner or later all the other boards will gang up and stop playing with us. Don't forget even a superpower requires friends and allies. Even the USA, the world's only superpower requires friends to achieve its objectives. They forgot this very basic doctrine in Iraq, and now are stuck in a quagmire. Another thing Indians stop crying "racism" every time a decision goes against us.

Even Gambhir pleaded guilty. The entire appeal is just another way of him and the BCCI trying to at least delay if not altogether wriggle out of a manifestly appropriate penalty FOR STRIKING ANOTHER PLAYER. Gambhir gives as good as he gets verbally and Watson was fined for his first offence. While whinging/whining Indians continue to worm out from the independant umpires decision they will be treated with derision by the rest of the world. Do you want that? Really?

I agree with you Krishna Mohan.Ponting said Mitchel was just reacting to Laxman's comments in a News paper.Let Harbhajan,Sachin and Muralidharan react to Gilchrist about his book when they face each other in IPL.

Mr.Suresh, I agree to fact that BCCI has made a mistake in defending Gambhir, but i do not see any other incidents where the board has misused its power. In the current incident too, the board is not agreeing with the rejection of the appeal without the judge interacting with Gambhir, and i dont see any fault with that. The board should have kept quite, but the fact that the playerd who often provoke are left with minimal punishment might have irked the board.

See people like Sachin Dravid n all are not tried to proveked because the always keep there cool...if watson provoked ghambir then Ghambir must not have made a physical contact he must have said it to the umpire... in cricket even if proveked there is no place for physical contact..... Ghambhir has to learn to keep his cool like his seniors to become a good player... and let his bat do the talking...

my blood boils everytime these "white" players are let off with the slap on the wrist. fine..gambhir was penalised for 1 match but penalty should be the same for shane watson..as he is the one who got "physical" first by blocking the way of gambhir when he was taking the run..

my blood boils everytime these "white" players are let off with the slap on the wrist. fine..gambhir was penalised for 1 match but penalty should be the same for shane watson..as he is the one who got "physical" first by blocking the way of gambhir when he was taking the run..

If Gambhir gets a ban, Watson must get the same punishment. ICC again proved that they need to learn to judge. What if Gambhir had not reacted? Would Watson still get the 10% match fee penalty? No because this incident was noticed because Gambhir reacted.

i am happy with the stand icc has taken in this regard,but on the other hand no one can deny the difference that icc shows in action against non-asian players/teams.icc is for all and not for the best or the influenced one only.so the icc should act as a father figure to create balance in desicion and actions,irrespective of any discrimination.
when some one takes a bold step/action it should be well justified in the light of previous cases.we learn from past and act in present to save future from same mistakes.

Look guys what ICC has done is injustic to Indian team and to there board BCCI and Australian players are the most expert in this kind of stuff like irritating player on the field Australians are the ones ICC suppose to punish in the first place and Gambir this is too much for the match reffery and from ICC.

Without BCCI, ICC is no where ..........

Why don't they turn on stump microphones so we can all hear what Katich or Watson are saying to Gambhir. I think that the key issue is evidence. We have evidence of words being said but no evidence of abuse and unless those microphones are turned on, we will never have.
As you have rightly said, BCCI should have no business with this. Gambhir made the appeal and lost - plain and simple. It should end there. And it is high time that abuse is stamped out from the game and I say, let's get the evidence with the stump mic on. Abuse also brings the game into disrepute and we should have visibility on what is said on the field.

Not once, in the Code of Conduct, does it allow physical contact, even if provoked.

Shane Watson broke the CoC by insulting Gambhir, and was appropriately punished.

Gambhir elbowed Shane Watson in the stomach, and seemingly "Sack tapped" him, and was let off lightly! He's done a similar thing before, hes lucky hes playing this year!

Pathetic Physical Behaviour like this has no place in our game whatsoever.

You don't hit an opposition player, for whatever the reason!!!

If what Johnson, and Katich done, was bad enough according to the Rules, and Code of Conduct set out by the International Cricket Council (The guys who tell BCCI what to do, not the other way around!!!! (sometimes i wonder who's incharge!!!)) They would have been reported in much the same way.

Its Time for Indian Cricket to clean their acts up. They're ruining our game. I had flights booked and tickets bought for the 4th Test. Straight in the Fire Now! Your Pathetic methods aren't worth my effort!

In reply to Mahek - "Even the most blatant of criminals has a right to defend himself by law. Maybe not in your court Mr. Menon."

He had his chance to defend himself, he was more than willing to put his side of the story in writing, and he did, from what i read.

The Appeal Process, in any reasonable court of law, can only dispute interpretations of the law.

He Pleaded bloody well guilty!!!! THen Appeals?

You are kidding yourself if you think it was anything short of a ploy to have him play in this test, before the appeal process was undertaken.

The Appeal process was undertaken, and the Indian Board are simply trying to find a way to get him playing starting Tomorrow!

Its as simple as that!!! Certainly not Rocket Science

For all in doubt, please do me a favor and enter the following two search strings in Youtube:
1) Miandad Lillee fight - this will show you the character of the Aussies, and all those shouting from rooftops about cricket being a non contact sport will hand their heads in silence
2) mcgrath hayden sledging - this shows the aussies don't even spare their own ilk.

Kudos to BCCI. Its about time someone stood up to the real bullies - the Aussies.

I am surprised to read ths piece.While on the face of just viewing the final elbowing,it might seem that the penalty of ban for one test was justified,what is the only thing relevant is the provocation for this.Watson made as if to hit Gambhir when he was taking a run. No self respecting player would remain comatose to that kind of provocation.The normally emotional Punjabis are known to have set places alight for lesser provocations.The point is that is there any need for this kind of behaviour in the name of mental disintegration.Rather than taking this rubbish started by Steve Waugh for deeper psychoanalysis and case study, I see in the media, regular features about who said what and how it is going to affect the outcome of the next match.What will perhaps bring out what I am saying is in the manner Mitchell Johnson was abusing Laxman while bowling to him. The reason cited by Ponting ( he needs a checkup urgently) s that Laxman had said something that had hurt Johnson seems rdiculou

BCCI is required to hit back at every action against Indians by ICC because ICC's paid staff are seen taking no action against offenders from other sides while hitting Indians for smaller penalties / retaliation & ICC is seen condoning this.

Even after the Sydney fiasco, Koertzen recklessly gave Ponting a 2nd batting during the 1st test.

In this instance, as per the umpire's own admission - Australians have been harassing Gambhir on the field of play for 2 whole test matches. Umpires who are paid to ensure gentlemanly conduct on the field of play did nothing till Gambhir retaliated. Now Gambhir is required to pay for the gross negligence of duty by these so-called neutral umpires.
BCCI should not waste time fighting to avoid the ban on Gambhir, simply question the integrity of the umpires & match referee basis their inaction against Katich who has also got into Body Contact with Indian Gambhir.

Suresh Menon you aussie cock sucking motherfucker, asshole bastard, do you like sucking aussie cock motherfucker. Dont just write whatever to get published, try to think before you write. Yes, Gambir was wrong but watson got of scott free even theough he was the one who started it. The point is this would have been a non issue if Watson was punished as well. This would have sent a message to everyone that bad behaviour would not be tolerated by any player.

hauled up. "It hasn’t used the race card this time, so that is probably progress of sorts. " this line shows how fucked up you are, you fucking asshole. motherfucker when rase is made an issue by aussie you have to call it out. Motherfucking aussie cocksucker

For those suggesting that Watson should be penalised equally with Gambhir; you are clearly missing the big picture. If we allow this level of deliberate physical contact, where do we draw the line?

Next time Ishant Sharma says something to an Aussie batsman, would it be reasonable for the Aussie batsman to knock him out? Should they both receive the same penalty for "provocation".

If an Aussie player insults a Pakistani batsman and the batsman hits the Australian player with their bat (as Javed Miandad threatened Dennis Lillee all those years ago), should both players receive the same penalty?

Cricket is a NON-CONTACT sport. Any amount of deliberate physical contact is a severe breach of rules. Gambhir was not the instigator, but he is a big boy who can take care of himself (and he returned the sledging in kind), and did so in the best way - by treating the bowlers to some punishment in the form of a big score.

The two indiscretions are not equal - Gambhir must pay the penalty.

Aussies would set a nice example if they shut up & play. Ricky, go read about the Spartans.

I love how Mr. Menon (and few Indians out there) have an Australian mind set (perspective) and actually believe into it with all their soul/heart. It is unfortunate how Australians/Western society is influencing them into thinking and making them feel as if they (these few Indians) are one of them….

Anywho, what Gambhir did was absolutely inexcusable and BCCI should not have said anything but to talk to Gambhir on controlling/ channelizing his aggression into positives (very quickly).
Mr. Menon could see Gambir’s video elbowing Watson, but failed to see the Sydney debacle videos and had an exactly opposite perspective then.

If it is black and white, let it be simple and see with the same eyes/mind for both incidents and not with Australian or Indian eye.

God Bless!

Dear Mr. Menon
I am not sure whether you'll reply to this but I hope you do. Let us look at things from my perspective. While it may be a part of Australian culture to swear at each other (if they have a culture that is) it is certainly not a part of our culture. A personal abuse (please refer to the transcripts of the language of Mr. Glen McGrath a 'cricket great' according to you all cricket critiques, for sample) would hurt an Indian much more than a tap from the elbow. The cricketing laws are 'white' according to me as they are made keeping in mind what is acceptable to white people not the whole cricketing world which is now dominated by the subcontinent. Rightly so. We bring the money and also in other countries cricket is fast losing out to other countries. So atleast there should be equal punishment for Gambhir, Watson and Katich. I am surprised Watson pleaded not guilty and you made no hue and cry. He is a liar. Why is he being allowed to play?

Mr.Suresh you have written this article like a typical aussie supporter and it is very poor.
You should go back and check the replays of this match again and again to actually "see" how KATICH and SHANE WATSON got away with their provocation and BLOCKING. IS IT OK TO BLOCK THE WAY OF BATSMAN FROM TAKING RUNS? Didnt you notice shane watson keeping his hand and blocking the way of Gambhir? How you can be so blind to all these? BCCI has every right to defend the players and they must have seen these video clips where 3 Aussies got away. Katich , Shane watson, Mitchel Johnson. If you think these 3 aussies are sane people then please stop writing because when Zaheer khan has been metted out 80% fine and Mitchell johnson gets away then what kind of signal is ICC giving to everyone? When shane watson and Katich both are blocking the way of Gambhir DELIBERATELY (including contact) Why is ICC blind? Whole world has seen these 3 Ugly Aussies but cannot make decision, can only protest like BCCI

Well it is unfiar to India because one player got one test ban and another player just got only 10%. That's a discrimantion. I don't thing it would have happened other way around. I have see all the time Indian player gets maximum punishment. This is Australia's plan, If they can't get player out with ball, abuse him and get him out of the game. That's in my culture is also bulling.

I am a true blue indian supporter, but I am against the notion of other supporters just blindly endorsing the validity of Gambhir's act. The fact is that cricket is a non-contact sport, and on this world stage, NOTHING that Watson said should prompt Gambhir to elbow him back. The words uttered by Watson may have been sour, but Gambhir should have known that he was playing immaculately and should have let the bat do the talking. Look at how Laxman handled Johnson, without a fiery retaliation, but a measured one which allowed him to get his concentration back quickly. Not many people will sledge Laxman, but given this and Gambhir's sledging, the Aussies WILL attempt to play mind games. You give respect, you get respect. Hark back to the memories of Sachin copping a Lee beamer on the shoulder, immediately turning around with a laugh, a pat on the back and a handshake. I am excited by Gambhir's prospect as a batsman and fielder, but his physical behaviour given thepedestalheisondissapoints

Tendulakr ball tampers
Singh calls Symond a monkey ... in two different tests
Gambir physically attacks Watson (his second contact offence)

A neutral referee finds the Indians guilty in all three cases.

Spot the pattern, and wonder why India has the worst disciplinary record in world cricket by a long margin

And at the next level down there is hypocrisy of Indians screaming at Clarke for not walking, yet 5 instances of Indians standing their ground in the current series, Sharma "forgetting" his gloves to waste time in Sydney, the invasion of the Perth pitch

Let alone Singh slapping a fellow test player

Grow up and start acting like a first world countries that you are only too happy to criticise for trivial "provocation". Indian cricket has a foul stench

Cricket is a non contact sport. Gambhir got the reprimand for what he did. Watson, however, got away with a slap on hand like 10% of match fee fine. I think this was not right. ICC should have fined him at least 65% of match fee for his provocation. This 10% will not prevent unsportsmen and sore loser Aussies from sledging again and again. India should stop playing Australia for two years. May be this will bring them to their senses. Else, if verbal taunting is ignored by the ICC then India has tremendous advantage of different languages that the Kangaroos will never understand. I am not advocating sledging. But, some sort of Tit for Tat may be necessary to shut them up. And send a message to ICC that verbal provocation must also stop.

Zaheer was fined with 80% match fees just for one incident and here is watson barking all day long just to get 10%. same way for the "physically touching" issue katich almost got gambhir run into himself had he opted for a run but he went scott free. Nobody is supporting gambhit for what he did but then there should be same penalties for the aussies as well. Isn't it funny that aussies are the master of sledging though Indians are the one receiving most of punishment. huhh all in the name of "doing it in the limits"

Having made my previous comment, I would like to add, that while i agree with Gambhir's punishment,I look with disbelief on the attitude and manners of someof the Australian bowlers. Johnson was seen to say the 'f' word to Laxman repeatedly. The question is raised- would we expect to see this kind of behaviour at a party or a social gathering. No. Then why should it be accepted on the cricket field. Johnson and Katich should take the lead of their spearhead, Lee who conducts him self in an aggressive but not malicious way. This bad blood between the two sides is very dissapointing for cricket. C'mon guys, just get along with each other. That goes for Zaheer Khan and Laxman who really did not need to rub salt into the wounds of the Aussies by proclaiming their defensiveness. Enough of the mind games, enough of the abuse, enough of the delaying tactics of both teams. Go out there and be grateful you are playing for your national side. Tendulkar still does, why can't the rest?

I agree with mr menon's comments. Gautam gambhir did it in the past . This time everyone saw it. BCCI should stop this.

Why the same yardstick not applied when johnosn abuses laxman after every ball in his over? why katich goes scot-free? why watson gets only 10% penalty? why symonds who got involved with bajji when he had no business there was free? Its clear that match referee Chris broad (why he is always referee in India's matches?) always finds Asian players as offenders. As much as BCCI not reacting maturely, there still exists colonial attitude in ICC officials and some member countries.

Watson raised his hand first and approached Gambhir who was taking a run. Even Justice Sachs took note of the extreme provocation. Gambhir's ban is justified under the letter of the law, but certainly not under the spirit of the law. Both players should have copped equal penalties - one for provoking and the other for retaliating. Watson needs to be punished too. I am surprised at the lack of outrage in India. This is extreme gamesmanship by a desperate Aussie side whose captain is on the brink of losing his captaincy and reputation. BCCI should not cave in. Chris Broad and all of the non-Asian ICC match referees need some cultural training before handing out horribly unbalanced judgments like this.

Let us stop behaving like prima donnas and take the decision in our stride, and give some respect to independent arbiters in this case. As it is we condoned calling a cricketer by the choicest of Hindi abuses ( Teri Maa Ki ) on the excuse that it was not Monkey ! Now this !!

Look the reason why the BCCI is complaining this time is because they feel the decision is unfair given the amount of provocation involved from all of the australians before gambhir did what he did, he was verbally abused by watson katich haddin and perhaps even more aussies. And this is accepted by the match refree broad. Given the amount of provocation it is only human for someone to react. This has happened in the past too but since it is an Indian cricketer he had to be made an example out of so that it would create big headlines.
I dont see anything done to Mr. Mitchell Johnson for the abuse he hurled out to the ever somber VVS, the justification given by ponting, he was replying to the statement given by laxman in the press conference about australian defensive tactics. Wow great timing haan to reply, after being hit for a boundary. Not even reprimanded by the match refree to be compared to the 80% fine to Zaheer. Now we know where the real racial discrimination happens

Gambhir's ban is thoroughly justified. However, what is unjustified is only a 10% fine on Watson especially when seen in context of the 80% match fee fine on Zaheer Khan for an agrressive send off for Hayden. The dilution in penalty for Watson smacks of double standards. BCCI instead of trying to defend the indefensible, should have Broad's leniency towards Watson and Katich. Aussies have succeeded in their goal getting Gambhir wound up and thereby blunt India's most potent weapon in this series. And it is really sad that a seasoned cricketer like Gambhir fell for this trap thereby betraying his country's interests at the 11th hour. This irresponsible response can cost India a well deserved series victory.

I agree with what Gambhir got but at the same time I don't agree with Shane Watson's 10% match fee. I am sure if an Indian cricketer had done the same it would have been more than 10%. This is double standards. Chris Broad is biased...BCCI do need to fight and get a fair judgement..if not, things will continue. BCCI at the same time should inform players to be in their limits.

I think this article is a severe case of 'selective hearing'The BCCI are not for one minute taking the view that Gambir didn’t do anything wrong and that he shouldn't be disciplined, nor did they ever say that Harbajarn didn’t say what he was alleged of. On both occasions the BCCI challenged the processes that were exercised in the decision making process, which therefore created doubt about the decision itself. In Australia the BCCI challenged the availability of concrete evidence on offer; Ricky Pointing’s and Symonds word is not concrete evidence. In this case the BCCI are clearly challenging the process of Gambir’s disciplinary hearing, and are not taking the decision because there was no ‘opportunity of personal hearing and legal representation’ and not because they think Gambir is innocent and shouldn’t be punished.

Also With Zaheer Khan being fined 85% and Watson only being fined 10% for violations not to distant from each other, just speaks for itself.

Dharmesh Mistry
U

Well, I dont think ICC sees the fuller picture. They punish players selectively. If you watch the clip closer, it was Shane Watson who raised his hand when Gambir took the first run and was on his way. Gambir retaliated and he deserves the punishment. So does Shane Watson and much a bigger fine for Katich and Mitchell Johnson. I guess ICC thinks Indian players earn a lot, so they can pay more fines. I agree Gambhir's decision, but not on how Aussies got away with this

As disappointing as this and other events of recent tests have been, even more disappointing is reading the comments above. We all love cricket - that is why we are here. Too many lines have been written about who was right, who was wrong, who provoked who. Please; there is not a conspiracy behind every decision; there is not racism behind every judgement. I live in the hope that the match umpire/referee/appeals judge are all making their decisions in the best way they can, given the best information they have, under the rules prescribed. Somehow every blogger seems to know better, but I for one have to say "I don't know exactly what happened!" and accept the judgement of those closer to to the game.

Being a great power BCCI has great responsibility to protect the players is not unusual.BCCI could have agreed with one or two test ban if the nagpur test is not a deciding one for the series.that too,any board will react in a way like this if it misses a man in form like gambhir in a crucial time.the frustrations are due to the unavailability of the player and not due to the power of influence it has with ICC.
during hearing it is gambhir who admitted that he elbowed watson.but during the end of day´s play he told it was an accident.it is natural for a any one who cannot bear the abuse anymore.he has just started his scoring and you cannot compare with fab four and five.but meagre 10% fine for influencer watson is not acceptable also katich´s irks.anyone can say gambhir won the bowlers on the field but it is all australians who won off the field by traditional sledging techniques.
note:Yuvi will be back for on coming England series this is the way you can reply the concerned one.

well Mr. Menon if u think wat BCCI is doin is wrong,den cud u justify wat johnson,watson n katich did was well justified..Doesnt matters wateva punishment Gambhir gets,he s a young guy n will cope wid all des acts by aussies n other players,but y not Watsen gets d same punishment..After all,playin whole day n scorin a ton is not all dat easy as it looks it is.It had been fully justified if both d players wud hv got same level punishment..Y only INDIAN player b penalized for an offence by d both..Y des match refries see only INDIAN players,y not d oppossition players.We saw same eg against ricky pontin in second test wen zaheer was penalized while ricky was left unseen in offence for argueing wid d on field umpire about any decision.
Well after all,,if BCCI tries to protect its players dis is well gud on its part until both d teams,to b precise,both d players gets same penalties..Remember CLAP can never b played wid one hand until its a slap..

Krisi
Pune

The Indian bowlers like zaheer khan have been giving ugly send off's all series.

Are you people really trying to say an Australian player would them be justified in physically assualting khan?

if this was the other way around an an Australian had assaulted an indian player we would have world war 3 right now.

It does look as though the BCCI is flexing its muscles at every opportunity. However, I find it quite refreshing to see the Indian Board flexing its muscles with support of the asian bloc countries........it was not that long ago that the English and Australian Boards appeared to make up the rules as and when it suited them. It should be noted that there are some with the ICC such as Chris Board who like to "balance things up" within his Match Referee capacity by handing out suspensions and heavy punishments to the Asian players when needed and a slap on the wrist for Australians, West Indians and South Africans.

It is also refreshing for me to read what I have just written as I am of Pakistani origin and see the Indian Board as an example of what the Pakistani Board must achieve..........one day?!?

Regards,

Saqib
Wimbledon

It does look as though the BCCI is flexing its muscles at every opportunity. However, I find it quite refreshing to see the Indian Board flexing its muscles with support of the asian bloc countries........it was not that long ago that the English and Australian Boards appeared to make up the rules as and when it suited them. It should be noted that there are some with the ICC such as Chris Board who like to "balance things up" within his Match Referee capacity by handing out suspensions and heavy punishments to the Asian players when needed and a slap on the wrist for Australians, West Indians and South Africans.

It is also refreshing for me to read what I have just written as I am of Pakistani origin and see the Indian Board as an example of what the Pakistani Board must achieve..........one day?!?

Regards,

Saqib
Wimbledon

Damn right! we should mess with the ICC infact we should take over the ICC .Listen get over the colonial mentality. I know Lalit Modi has but idiots like this journalist has not! Go INDIA!

why only gambhir??? watson and kaitch should also met the same fate
why this two ways decision
and BCCU has done the right thing
every father wants to protect his child annd board did the same

I fully agree with Suresh! India has enormous clout in the cricket world and it would only be beneficial if we used it in a constructive way. We always blame Australia for not being "popular" winners... why should we not be blamed for using our financial clout to bully the ICC? I sincerely hope we stop this appeals and re-appeals everytime an Indian player is pulled up. Just accept the decision and move on. If Gambhir thought he was innocent, then he shouldn't have pleaded guilty. Once he pleaded guilty, he should accept whatever is the decision and just move on!

Here, I'd also like to blame one of our greatest cricketing icons. I find it stupid and idiotic for Sunny Gavaskar to always try to turn the tables on the Aussies. Yes, they're a mean team who used to bully opponents, but how're we any different to them now? They used their cricketing skill and we're using our financial clout which, to me, is even worse than them!

So, if I understand correctly, Indian players are saints who have never initiated anything, but are just reacting to [insert nationality here] abuse. Right.
It's time you woke up. I'm an Aussie and proud of it. Our team plays hard, and sure, they cross the line at times. But to pretend it's one-sided is stupid. All sides are comprised of grown men, all passionate to play for their country and competing to their fullest.
Sure, Gambhir was being sledged. So, grow a pair - sledge back. I'm sure Harbhajan could give some advice there. But resorting to physical contact is just laughable.

While it is easy to take one side or the other, and justify it,the facts indicate that GG was provoked beyond limit, right in front of the umpires and the referee - if you see this as a tactic by Oz, it has worked perfectly - 10% of someone's match fee is a small price to pay to see the back of one of their chief tormentors! There is no place for such an organized sledging strategy (Australia is known for this) in a gentleman's game and I hope the ICC comes down harder on such issues rather than judge them as isolated incidents and the BCCI should tackle them as such rather than on the merits of the specific case.
Let's hope M Vijay makes up for GG's absence by scoring a triple hundred - and the strategy backfires!!!

While it is easy to take one side or the other, and justify it,the facts indicate that GG was provoked beyond limit, right in front of the umpires and the referee - if you see this as a tactic by Oz, it has worked perfectly - 10% of someone's match fee is a small price to pay to see the back of one of their chief tormentors! There is no place for such an organized sledging strategy (Australia is known for this) in a gentleman's game and I hope the ICC comes down harder on such issues rather than judge them as isolated incidents and the BCCI should tackle them as such rather than on the merits of the specific case.
Let's hope M Vijay makes up for GG's absence by scoring a triple hundred - and the strategy backfires!!!

Dear Krishna Mohan and Jishu Sen,

If you feel Gambhir's reaction to Watson's provocation is justified, then I hope you don't mind Mathew Hayden, Andrew Symonds, Andrew Flintoff or any of those large blokes knocking Zaheer Khan's, Sreesanth's and certainly Harbhajan Singh's blocks off and leaving them to spend the rest of their lives on hospital beds and wheel-chairs, for provoking them. Get sensible mate!
There is no room for aggresive physical contact in cricet. Accept it, move on.

Dear Krishna Mohan and Jishu Sen,

If you feel Gambhir's reaction to Watson's provocation is justified, then I hope you don't mind Mathew Hayden, Andrew Symonds, Andrew Flintoff or any of those large blokes knocking Zaheer Khan's, Sreesanth's and certainly Harbhajan Singh's blocks off and leaving them to spend the rest of their lives on hospital beds and wheel-chairs, for provoking them. Get sensible mate!
There is no room for aggresive physical contact in cricet. Accept it, move on.

Watson was fined for his role in the incident and provoking Gambhir .
Gambhir called Katich a "f%^&ing cheat", so he started that whole incident, not Katich. Neither player was citied, so I don't really see the problem.

Its a fact that the Indian cricket team is the worst behaved for the last 10 years, it's time they took some responsibility for their actions

BCCI has every right to defend&protect a player.This definitely is not bullying.Had the rules been interpreted the same for Gambhir, Watson, Katich & Johnson, all being found guilty of not acceptable behaviour and punished in the same manner, if the BCCI had intervened then to push Gambhir's case, then it could be construed as bullying.In this case, Watson was the perpretator, he stuck out his arm deliberately and caused this.I believe he claimed that he wasn't guilty.It reminded me of the Matteraazi-Zidane incident.According to law, one who has caused or master-minded the crime deserves more punishment than the one who executed it.Cricket's laws seem to be very diff. and also interpreted diff.ly for diff. individuals by people like Chris Broad.Katich was guilty of blocking Gambhir but not fined. Found funny, Ponting's statement that there is no malice in Johnson's tirade on Lakshman.This has set a wrong precedent, u incite you invite a fine, u react you cud get a ban, how funny!

There are so much bias from the Indians on this site. It seems to me that they think their beloved Indians do not do any sledging. How about Harbajan doing cartwheels when he got Pointing out and saying in interviews that he does not know if he has the woods on Pointing. Or Sharma going down the pitch after a good ball to mouth off at batsmen, or pointing to the dressing room when he get someone out. As for Watson Vs Gambir, Gambir did not stay silent, he was sledging back, and then he elbowed Watson. How some of you can miss the point amazes me

As for people who thinks Australians should be banned for sledging/bad conduct. Harbajan either said “Monkey” to Simons, and then tried to apologise after being confronted by Clark and Simmons. Or he suppose said “Mother F**ker” to Simons. How come the same Indians was asking for Harbajan to keep playing, this is just double standard for the Indians, If an Indian does it, it is ok, if it is Australian, they should be banned.

Sledging had been around forever, the West Indies did it, Botham, Hughes did it, just because the Indians do not like it does not mean it should be banned. The Australian did not like it in the 1980s because we were losing, we just worked harder and play better cricket

The next thing you know, the Indians will not like fast bowling or Bouncers and wants it banned.

I am amazed at the muddle headedness of the thinking coming from those in support of the the Indian cause, for that is what it is, an Indian cause. You are surely not interested in observing the same rules of fairness as others. You talk out of the sides of your mouths in defence of a batsman who made intentional physical contact with a bowler. That is outside of the laws of the game and worthy of sanction. Yes we all know the Aussies goaded him, we also know that on this series the Indian team gave as good as they got, but physical contact is not the same as sledging, let the scales fall from your blighted eyes and use a little common sense . So what the cricketing community expects is sporting behaviour that follows the golden rule of observing the umpires decision. In this regard the Indians have, and continue to embarress themselves and bring the game into disrepute. This is not the first time the Indians have behaved as if they are above the law. Get over yourselves folks.

Mr. Menon,

Would you care to comment on the questions being raised on this board about the injustice (read racism) shown by the difference in the punishment meted out to Gambhir and Watson for the same incident?

Also, this is not the first time such a thing has happened in cricket, and I am afraid it would not be the last either.

Gambhir's action was wrong. No denying that. So he gets banned for one Test. Accepted. But how come Shane Watson gets away with only being fined 10% of his match fee, despite his obvious "wind-up" tactics. And there is no mention of Katich's actions. So,Mr Menon, it seems quite ok with you if our Indian players get punished while some Aussie players get away scot-free. Is that your point, Sir?

Gambhir made deliberate physical contact. An infringement. He has done this recently and been fined for it. He must therefore face a higher "fine" for a second infringement.

The Katich incident - watch the full replay and see that Gambhir initiated that argument before you see Katich react. That could have gone very badly if Billy and other players didn't jump in. eg. Katich and Gambhir both banned for life for an on field punch up.

all these comments about punishing the verbal abuse is just rubbish. Sledging is part of the game, cricket is a mental game and if anyone goes too far you can always complain to the umpire. Verbal abuse is not against the laws of the game, physical abuse is. No point complaining about two standards, the ICC are just enforcing the rules of the game. Although in the one series where specific abuse was agreed to be punishable, bhaji went ahead and broke the laws again with the monkey comment yet the board and the team cried foul when he was to be punished. This decision still does not make up for the black mark that the BCCI and the ICC put on the game over the bhaji saga but it is a move in the right direction by the ICC, the BCCI just need to grow up and enforce some discipline among it's players.

Mr Suresh Menon,
Your article has got only single dimension views. Remember incidents like in South Africa all indian cricketers were banned for tamepring including Sachin, Oval incident against Pakistan, Muttiah Muralidarans incident,Sydney test,Now Kotla all these incidents have one common thing the opposition(Whites) got away and asians are penalised.Same thing happened in Kotla ,Gambhirs fault is very much there so is also Watson, that what the protest is all about, even Watson should be banned for one test, instead he is getting 10% fine which is equivalent for him to get one run in IPL!!!!. Is this fair?
BCCI is doing the right thing mind you it is not protesting that Gambhir should not be banned but it is saying please listen to evidence and talk to Gambhir before giving evidence.This is not bullying my friend, this is a fight against the so called Whitemans thinking that asians should be punished if they swear!! and swearing is allowed for white men!!!.

Suresh, I agree wholeheartedly with your comments. If India wants to "rule" cricket, then it would do well to abide by its own standards of fair play and not whine like a little boy "the Aussies made me do it!". Gambhir deserved the swift kick up the backside after a fair and transparent ICC process - and India should now get on and play the game hard. As an afterthought, may be the BCCI should invest in anger management classes for some of its more volatile players!!

Wonderful article from Mr Menon as per usual. I see there are a lot disagreeing with his point of view. These people can only be hardened Indian cricket fans. Gambhir elbowed Watson and if you cannot see that physical contact is far worse than "mouthing off" then you see the game in a strange way. There has been verbal provocation in cricket since the days of WG Grace and probably prior to that too but that does not give a person the right to hit someone, whether softly or not. Some people here are asking that Watson gets the same punishment as Gambhir because he provoked him. This is senseless. If Harbajhan called Symonds a monkey and Symonds then knocked Singh unconscious, should Harbajhan get punished to the same degree as Symonds? My point is not whether this happened or not (so please don't bring up that argument), my point is the ridiculousness of wanting that punishment imposed on a player for verbal abuse compared to physical.

Mr Menon - your view, I feel is somewhat clouded. When Zaheer Khan "over celebrated" Hayden's dismissal he was fined 80% of his match fee. Yet Watson was only fined 10% of his match fee for his language toward Gambhir. Gambhir's elbowing Watson for the provocation got him a test ban. And further we have not seen any reporting by the umpires to the match referee of Kaich's and Johnston's bahaviour. They got off scott free for their banter. Why shouldn't the BCCI stand up for its players? The umpires need to do their jobs thoroughly and consistently if the game is to be played in the right spirit. Ban the sledging and banter totally. When I come in to work each morning I don't expect to be sledged or abused or harrassed. There would be huge ramifications if that happened. The cricket field is, in essence, the player's work environment and no player should have to put up with any form of abuse or harrassment. The umpires need to lift their game in and control player behaviour.

Whenever Chris Broad officiates a match, the verdict would always go against Asian teams. I can't imagine howcome ICC allows Chris Broad to be a match referee because his record of on-field behaviour was so poor when he was a player.
In one instance when Sri-Lanka played test match against Aussies in Colombo, Justin Langer took out the bails on drinks break and nobody had noticed, when play resumed the Aussies appealed that Batsman was bowled out. Umpires were so puzzled and could not figure it out what happened. It took third umpire with the help of TV cameras for half hour to find out what happened. Chris Broad only gave a warning to Justin Langer for "Bringing the game to halt for half hour and dirrepute."

"If the BCCI gets isolated, it will be the players who suffer, and the game itself - the officials can always go back to their regular office jobs".

And thats just what a lot of us would love to see come true, shame on the bcci for condoning such things as physical abuse on the field.

Very well said. A fervent supporter of the justice behind India's cause in Australia, I am now getting a little weary of the BCCI's antics. I understand how they might be feeling complacent and exhilarated by the dream success of the IPL. Furthermore, this (newly) combative attitude and irreverent bully-like approach might well be seen as a refutation of past injustice in one sense (how far we have left behind the legacy of (white) colonial imperialism that gave us the game). But, that is a constricted POV. Yes, ALL us Indians are happy about the Board's success, but abusing its power is hardly ever a good thing (even in retaliation). I have not seen the play myself, but a (re)ruling made after an appeal should be enough.
As Menon says, it will do Gambhir some good to sit out. He is a smart chappie by the looks of it, and he should learn quickly the basic etiquette that this old-fashioned game requires (more than demands). I hope he will return a wiser man.

I think the BCCI should have said that it accepts the punishment but still stands by the player given that his reaction came after what is widely being reported as incessant verbal abuse. what amuses me is that the same reporters / armchair experts trun a completely blind eye to the provocation. have they ever mentioned that the bowlers / fielders (no matter which team) should be found to be equal offenders for provoking players with so much personalverbal abuse that someone had to react physically. in the absence of and equal condemnation of the fielding teams sledging, i guess what these writers are saying is - '...it should be an unwritten law that fielding side go on a rampage with personal verbal attacks on batsmen.... it is in the true gentlemanly and competitive spirit that such players are showcasing their skills (in sledging!)...' BCCI should make a strong point on the verdict and move on rather that alienating itselves by appearing to be bullying the rest of cricketign world.

Second offence, second offence, second offence. That is why Gambihr is suspended. If it were a first offence he would have got a fine. Albeit a large fine because physical contact should never be a part of cricket. Suck it up, accept the ban, and come out the other side of it a better man/player. Stop complaining that everbody is against India. Utter rubbish. If India play Gambihr despite the match ban, they should lose the test match by forfiet for playing unavailable players.

Gambhir shouldn't have reacted to verbal taunting with a physical response, simple as that. As an Aussie, growing up with verbal/sledging/persiflage is normal, but you respond with verbal, not elbows or fists. Its part of the game, and I don't mean just cricket.

Well done Mr Menon...about time we got a reasoned response to this. Both sides at fault but when will India learn to take the umpires decision with good grace?

So Jishu Sen and all of your others, its ok to start hitting people if you are too stupid to come up with a decent reply for criticism? I Can't wait for Matthew Hayden or Andrew Symonds to start acting this way then, Ishant Sharma would break like a stick next time he decides to make comments at an Aussie who decides to react in the Gambhir method, actually I can't think of any Indian that wouldnt break - and those that didnt would just cry anyway.

He made intentional contact, he has done it before and he pleaded guilty, therefore he deserved what he got. As for all the on-field pow-wow...its test cricket!!! This is no place for the timid and thin-skinned. Sledging is a part of the game now as it always will be. I am sure that India doesn't stand out there and talk about the weather. Fair enough as well. There are some things that have been accepted on the field since day dot, this includes sledging. Some things have never been accepted on the field and should never be accepted when it does happen, this includes antagonistic or malicious (I am making a point of separating these two) physical contact between players. Lets move away from the politics and enjoy some great cricket.

Please sajin varghese, You may want to check the facts when it comes to your fab 5. You'll find that they aren't as clean as you think they are. It seems that Dhoni likes to eat lollies and Tendulkar loves to pick grass out of the seam of the ball (and forgetting to tell the Umpire).

Gambhir was wrong but Australians are bad losers. All this thing about BCCI and Gambhir being Wrong but surely Watson and Katich were at fault as well. Katich tried to stop Gambhir taking a run and that was not considered to be offensive.

I think the problem is Australia has found an opponent better than them. Sydney was Australian cricket's most pathetic moment. Australia proves time and time again that they are hopeless losers.

Glad he wasn't allowed to play.It was wrong that the ICC overturned the ban on Harbajan in Sydney.Unfortunately India couldn't threaten with leaving the country this time.BCCI has way to much influence and if it doesn't go their way they suck!!!

Ghambir was clearly in the wrong and his actions were clearly intentional. He got the punishment he deserved. We do not know who started it, him or Watson, but we know Ghambir took it to the next level - he got physical. Cricket is not a contact sport, Ghambir took the game to a new low. The BCCI were completely wrong to try and deny this. They should have taken action upon Ghambir themselves for bringing India into disrepute. The BCCI are taking advantage of their power. How the had a neutral umpire stood down from the 2007 series in Australia was a clear example of this. The threatened to withdraw from the tour unless the umpire was stood down - blackmail. There is no point in having the ICC is the BCCI is going to control the game. ICC is there for a reason and should exercise its power against the BCCI. In recent times the BCCI has destroyed the careers & dreams of many talented cricketers such as Shane Bond because they chose to play in the ICL, which is no different to the IPL.

People have been wrongly judging Watson based on Gambhir's reaction. None of us really know what Watson exactly said. Yet, people are somehow assuming that since Gambhir reacted the way he did Watson should've done something equally provocative. No! that's not the way people are judged, people should be judged for their actions not based on how other people react to those actions. A bowler talking to a batsman is at a particular level of misconduct, a batsman reacting by elbowing the bowler is definitely at a higher level.

Dear Mr. Menon,

I agree with you that the action performed by Gautam Gambhir was punishable.
But I am sorry to say that your complete article is slightly incomplete. As you are already mentioning the phrase 'Battle of egos', it was expected that you'll cover the other incidents (as mentioned by my co-readers).
It is good to discuss that what Gambhir did was correct/not but it more important to discuss why Australians were let free and Indians were warned/penalised.

Thank you,
Vikram Maingi

At last an intelligent comment out of India. Astonishing how the rest of you try to stick up for the idiotic antics of Gambhir, Harbhajan, Sreesanth, and Zaheer by saying the Aussies do the same. Not at all. Physical contact, send-offs of dismissed batsmen, distracting when the ball is on the way down-it's all been done by the Indians. Get a grip and watch the game. Only one team is playing in the right spirit.

Who says life is fair ? but when it comes to the Aussie cricket team they are allowed to get away with murder. Why should any sportsman be abused? and what is the punishment for abusing an opponent ? Questions for the ICC to answer...

I feel that the decision to ban gambhir was correct. No player has a right to get physical. However, i also feel that ICC has normally overlooked the conduct of australian player which was evident in this Gambhir episode. Watson and Katich(who has gotten away scott free) should have been delt more severely. From the video futage it was clear that watson extended his arm in Gambhir's path which was not taken into considered, and Katish who clearly blocked Gambhir's path was not even discussed. How is that?
While dealing with such incidences the complete story should be taken into consideration. This is what the natural justice calls for.
While accepting the ban BCCI and indian team shuold have launched a complaint against katich and watson both... It is a known fact that australians sledging is always ignored by ICC and they get away almost all the time.

I do agree that the Board should not interfere with the ICC decision. However, if the ICC Panel takes action/s (like the one with Gambir), the same rules should apply for the rest of the players and the teams. As for as i noticed, The ICC takes this kind of action/s on players representing from ASIA whic surprises many of the cricket fans and at some times even surprise cricket Pundits like Sunil Gavaskar. a 10 % fine on Katich and 80 % fine on Zaheer is a clear indication of this disparity...Mr.Sachs you need to either stripped of your degree or powers and the best thing for you is to goback to school to learn the forgotten rules of law and equality!

Since sledging and verbal provocation are still common and not illegal under the rules, all players have to put up with it.
Here are a few phrases that should be considered in this case:

'Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me'

'Two wrongs don't make a right'

'Turn the other cheek'.

Provocation is never an acceptable excuse for a physicall outburst. Players should be grown up enough to deal with that and accept the punishment when they loose their heads. They are adults not kids in the playground.

I am sad that everybody in the media is critizing Gambhir for his part in the incident, yet nobody seems to be noticing the part played by the Australians. If somebody insults my family, even I will take it seriously and mmight retaliate. There has to be a limit to which a person can be pushed. And Gambhir had evidently reached his limit. If cricket is a gentleman's sport why is sledging allowed in the first place, I thought gentlemen do not insult each other, or am I wrong in my definition of the word gentlemen. And why is Mr Suresh Menon critizing BCCI as a bully. Whenever the BCCI suppots a player, it is deemed as using too much power or bullying the ICC. But when the Australian or the English board does the same thing its deemed as supporting its players. Nobody talk about how much BCCI helps cricket boards in other countries that need help. For example BCCI is practically funding the SriLankan cricket board. Could anyone please tell me if the Australian board would do the same?

I am sad that everybody in the media is critizing Gambhir for his part in the incident, yet nobody seems to be noticing the part played by the Australians. If somebody insults my family, even I will take it seriously and mmight retaliate. There has to be a limit to which a person can be pushed. And Gambhir had evidently reached his limit. If cricket is a gentleman's sport why is sledging allowed in the first place, I thought gentlemen do not insult each other, or am I wrong in my definition of the word gentlemen. And why is Mr Suresh Menon critizing BCCI as a bully. Whenever the BCCI suppots a player, it is deemed as using too much power or bullying the ICC. But when the Australian or the English board does the same thing its deemed as supporting its players. Nobody talk about how much BCCI helps cricket boards in other countries that need help. For example BCCI is practically funding the SriLankan cricket board. Could anyone please tell me if the Australian board would do the same?

Tiresome indeed! IMHO, it is very difficult to pick on someone and punish him needlessly. No one is victimised. The BCCI should understand that its players are not saints and projecting them as one and crying foulplay will do no one any good. It has now become normal for BCCI to object to any/most decisions by an ICC official. I hope the ICC can someone censure BCCI for its supposed backing of players.

So Mr Menon, are you pleased with your country's board now? I mean now that bad bad Gambhir has been the cricketing world can breathe a sigh of relief! Celestial choirs can sing, the australians can play their tough game and the indians should turn the other cheek.
What a relief! I mean we are solucky to have people like you to show us the right way.
Tell me, was it jealousy to see another player at the top of his form and someone who had the cojones to stand up to the bullies. Anyway, we can all rest well knowing that the cricketing world has been saved by cricinfo and your column

I have followed cricket for years. More and more I'm finding the political machinations offensive. Have England's and Australia's custodianship of the game been beneficial to it, in the whole I think yes. With Indian becoming the predominate custodian of cricket I am saddened by the extent that India chooses to flex it's political muscle. It is said that Zimbabwe survives in world cricket because of India. Power seems a hideously corrupting influence and India's cricket administrators seem now to revel in their ability to exert power over the rest of the world.

It will be within 5 years that India will top the tables of cricketing supremacy. I won't be watching it and enjoying it if India's current drive to have it's own petulant way continues.

This is in regards to Sutherland's comments on India to use the cricketing power wisely. If Sutherland is so much bothered about the game played in the right spirit, he should first ask his team to shut up and play cricket, or consider cultural differences before making a comment. I lived in Australia for a while and culturally, calling somebody a 'baaastard' in public is ok for Australians, but it is not in India and pakistan. There are instances of heads rolling, literally, in India. So, all the players in the world, has to realize that they are ambassadors of the game, representing different countries and that they are role models to many. Already, looking from the sidelines, and watching the guys stare at each other, makes us spectators feel like,'why the heck are we wasting time and money and watching these indesciplined morons play??'. Well, this is already accepted that this is OK..so let us restrict to just staring and do not go beyond it. The game is already tarnished way back

Ok all you curry munchers keep bashing the aussies in your one eyed view. The actually facts are this gambhir made contact with watson, there is No excuse if he was abused or edged on by watson or anyone else, he has a mouth cant he give it back? In reality do you people actually think gambhir is a match for watson? have any of you actually seen the size of him? If he had elbowed gambhir the poor guy would be still in hospital. The BCCI should remember with great power comes great responsiblity, Its NOT actually your game, we were playing it way before India every did. All of a sudden they have a little power and its gone striaght to their head! Grow up INDIA!

Many Indian supporters insist the author should look at the bigger picture. Very well, the bigger picture, and why members of the Indian team appear to cop tougher penalties, is simple. They have by far the worst disciplinary record of ANY team playing international cricke - in the past few years more than 50 reprimands, fines and suspensions. Zaheer received his fine for being a serial offender. Katich's fine was the first he has ever had on a cricket field. Gambhir is a second time offender and pleaded guilty this time round - he admitted, in effect, to deliberately elbowing Watson. This is entirely different to 'sledging' someone on the field. Cricket is a non-contact sport end of story. I mean, do you Indian supporters seriously suggest that in civilian life, a person who has assaulted another person in the street would get off by saying "he called me names?" Not likely. Indian cricket needs to learn they don't own the game, nor its' traditions, nor its' history.

Samit said "Although I'm surprised to know that the player wasn't given a personal hearing. When a case is re-adjudicated, as it was in this event, both parties are normally heard in detail and then a decision is made."

I'm sorry, but this simply isn't true. For a start, Gambhir pleaded guilty, so there was no need to 'adjudicate' the issue at all, merely to consider mitigating circumstances and pass sentence. Gambhir was certainly given this opportunity.

Secondly, Gambhir did not appeal against the verdict, given that he admitted the offence, only the suspension. Sachs need only re-visit the facts and decide, given mitigation and Gambhirs previous offence, whether the sentence was fair. It was, it is and that is the end of it. Gambhir received complete natural justice, no more and no less than he would have received in a civilian court of law.

I can see the day (not too far away) when international cricket splits in 2. Those that accept the rules and those that want to set up new rules. I foresee cricket will be in temporary turmoil (maybe 2-5 years) but in the long run it will be better for the split.

Sande wrote "What BCCI is doing is to protect its own players...which by all means is fair. Same thing Aussies or others board would do..."

Wrong again, Sande. Shane Warne was banned for a year for using a diuretic by...the Australian Cricket Board. Warne and Mark Waugh were fined for accepting money by...the Australian Cricket Board. Dennis Lille was suspended and fined for his run in with Javed by...the Australian Cricket Board. No, Sande, I'm sorry. The BCCI's first reaction is to react bullishly, whether or not the player is in the right or not. And I'll tell you this, even when an Australian player, and CA, feels that a penalty is undeserved or too severe, they do not threaten to leave tours, they do not threaten to disregard the decision. They cop it on the chin and move on.

Well written article Suresh, kudos. We are talking of two issues here.
1)a) Is Gambir's action, justified by the ban and b) is the BCCI's reaction over board?
2) Does the provoker get away lightly in comparison to the proved?
1)a) Gambir, pleaded guilty. He has a previous record for elbowing and was found guilty and fined. For the above two reasons he was banned for a match, irrespective of him being provoked or otherwise. As far as I am concerned this is fair and straightforward. One does not need a Masters in Law to figure this out.
b) BCCI is a Board with tremendous clout and influence. I remember the quote from Spiderman, "with great power comes great responsibility". Somebody needs to imbibe the essence of this into BCCI. It is high time BCCI stopped acting like a high school bully and act responsibly. There is no point in appealing every decsison going against its players. There is a reason such committes have been put in place. - To be continued in next post.

2) The Australians are masters in sleding and in provoking. It was just plain ridiculous to see Mitchel Johnson sledge VVS in the first over the batsmen has faced. Different batsmen have diferent tolerance levels and based on that level they just snap sooner or later. I have been told from some very credible sources that there are explicit instructions given to the Australian that they don't sledge Tendulkar (I am not making any point by this statement, bbut just FYI). In a legal sense a person who incites a crime is also liable to severe prosection, however, not in scale with the person committing the crime. In a same sense, I beleive S. Watson and S. Katich should be fined atleast 59% of their match fees. Provokers needs to be dealt with strongly.

wow, it extremely amusing to hear how something is plausible because one person 'provoked' the other to do this. What other provoke excuses can we use ?

cigarette companies provoked me to smoke?
Alcohol companies provoked me to drink ?
Fast Food advertisement provoked me to become obese?
Guns provoked me to shoot somebody

I agree that the BCCI has the right to protect their players, as obviously every board does, yet i think most of the cricket world is tired of the extreme appealing. What will BCCI do next? appeal against decisions or outcomes of matches? Australia obviously sledges, yet so does India now, so neither team can complain about verbal attacks, as they now both do it.

Anyone who loves the sport would not disagree with Mr Menon. The BCCI behaves crudely. Period. Its a reflection of the modern Indian society. "Have money flaunt it. Be arrogant. Walk over everyone around." This display of raw money poer does not auger well. Letting of players misbehave on and off the field is disasterous.

Even in the "monkeygate" episode. Harbajan was "pardoned" because he did not make a racial remark but only made derogatory comments about Symonds mom (The maa ki rebuttal). Even in that episode, the board standing by Harbajan for not making a racial slur was perhaps correct, but they should have punished him independently for using abusive and foul language.
Worse is that people of the sorts of Mr Gavaskar, needlessly stroke this "victimised brown player" feeling. It may have been true when Mr Gavaskar played his cricket. Its not valid anymore. Asian Players especially , the Indians are as cocky and aggressive.

It is a political thing. Time and again in the corporate structure also you see Managers picking the wrong fights and the wrong people to back, only due to an ego or political reason. There is no display of straightforwardness in today's world - in work or play!

People here seem a little confused. Gambhir pleaded guilty and only wanted an appeal, which he launched at the last minute, in the hope that the Judge wouldn't have time to hear the case and then he would be allowed to play. He was outsnookered by the SA jusge hearing it immediately. No one likes the verbal abuse that both sides have been using in this test. But the BCCI must accept the ruling like all other sides do and stop tryinhg to bully the ICC. This isn't in anyone's best interest. Gambhir will come bvack a more disciplined player who won't be provoked as easily. The people that are saying that the provoker needs to be punished as severely need to grow up.

Gambhir deserves it! Even if Watson provoked him... he has no business getting physical. Hopefully, he should've learnt his lesson.

I would like us to remind ourselves of a few things. What really is sports and why do we encourage our young people to take part in sports? Sports is the means of encouraging the development of the greater qualities of human values of fairness, compassion for the fallen, respect for each other...in short an opportunity to find the goodness in ourselves. As Mahatma Gandhi said, a disagreement or confrontation is a an opportunity to awaken the goodness deep within the other person and transform the person. When one tries to practise this principle to the best of one's ability it awakens and transforms the practitioner too.

Watson was aiming to cross Gambhirs path. Who has right of way. He should have been pushed hard out of the way.
Aussies have one rule for themselves eg. Warne, Wagh match fixing was naive and stupid. No ban.but these same cricketers wanted a life ban on Cronje. Also Warnes drug suspension and the swimmer who took a drug given by the coach from his mothers bag while a Chinese girl was sent back for only carrying a banned substance. What price fairness and equality. Obviously some are more equal thjan others.

Watson was aiming to cross Gambhirs path. Who has right of way. He should have been pushed hard out of the way.
Aussies have one rule for themselves eg. Warne, Wagh match fixing was naive and stupid. No ban.but these same cricketers wanted a life ban on Cronje. Also Warnes drug suspension and the swimmer who took a drug given by the coach from his mothers bag while a Chinese girl was sent back for only carrying a banned substance. What price fairness and equality. Obviously some are more equal thjan others.

Ghambir elbowed Watson, punishment justified. If someone was being tried for murder, the punishment would be based on circumstances. In this case Watson's provocation. The question is would Ghambit have elbowed Watson if there was no hand raising? I doubt it. So to me both should have been given the same punishment. No matter how much the 'quantum', only then would there be 'solace' all around.

I have no problem with Gambhir's ban but we really need to see if justice has been done all round. If we take a legal argument that Watson and Gambhir should be heard separately the BCCI is perfectly justified in protecting Gambhir's interests. It seems that the same standards are not being applied across the board. By selectively applying standards an impression is being created that Indians are badly behaved whereas that may not actually be the case as television footage shows.Suresh you disappoint me by your one sided view.

I have to laugh at the comments about Gambhirs actions not being in the spirit of the game. What spirit exactly? The same one that Australia massacred at SCG, and from much time through the years? About the overt racism that dogs the Aussie medias behaviour as they pull up any and every obstreporous outrageous matter to tar Indias team with, from caste, to poverty? That is all fine, but Gambhir should be a meek submissive lad, as somebody comes in his way repeatedly, calls him names and generally acts the boor. I as a cricket fan know when the spirit of the game will rejoice, when the Australians and their attack dog media behave with grace (fat chance!) and when Gunga dins like Suresh Menon no longer carry the water for Australia in the name of the "spirit of the game" and other hoary much abused cliches while meekly turning the other cheek when the Aussie's yell, get over here boy!
So Gunga Din, spare us Indians the outrage. The I in BCCI stands for India, and I as an Indian citizen can still tell when justice is not done, as was Gambhirs fate, while chaps like you stand around and tut tut. And btw, the waters on the side, the Aussies need it.