New Delhi: Gautam Gambhir will be able to play in the fourth Test against Australia at Nagpur after filing an appeal against the one-match ban imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
But the big question is: did he need to banned in the fist place?
Gambhir was charged under Level 2.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct for pushing out his elbow that hit Australian all-rounder Shane Watson during the first day’s play in the third Test match in New Delhi.
The incident spiralled into a controversy that took the focus away from what Gambhir should have really been making the headlines for, his run of form that has seen him make a century and a double hundred in the series
His teammates though believe a match ban was harsh.
"It is difficult to react but Gambhir admitted his guilt. One-match ban is too harsh. He should have been fined," Virender Sehwag said.
Sources told CNN-IBN that the Australian camp wanted even sterner action against Gambhir.
The Australian media had in fact called the charge under Level 2 of the ICC Code of Conduct too timid. They wanted him to face a higher charge and as a result a harsher punishment.
"He used his hands. Physical contact is unquestionably not part of the game," said Matthew Hayden.
Clearly, Gambhir hasn't helped his case. Match referee Chris Broad said that he also consider an incident that happened almost a year ago when Gambhir went face to face with Pakistan's Shahid Afridi in during an ODI Kanpur.
"The ICC has repeatedly told the players that deliberate physical contact between players will not be tolerated. I have also taken into account the previous offences of Gambhir and therefore, I am satisfied that the penalty imposed is an appropriate outcome in the circumstances of this matter," Broad said.
Both camps had spoken of playing in the spirit of the game when the series began but with unsporting incidents which led to a fine for Zaheer Khan in Bangalore and now the Gambhir-Watson spat; it is evident that relations between the teams are far from cordial.
Comments
0 comment