GAMBHIR ELBOWED OUT BY THE ICC- AUSSIES HAVE A REASON TO SMILE, BCCI TO FUME

It is a potentially volatile situation that could have been easily avoided by using a little common sense.

As if world cricket isn't already facing serious challenges on various fronts comes another controversy which could further widen the gap between global cricket community.

Justice Albie Sachs' verdict to uphold Indian opener Gautam Gambhir's one-Test ban has re-ignited the fire many thought was doused during India's tour Down Under earlier in the year.

This would mean that Gambhir, who's had a terrific series vs the Australians so far, would miss the fourth and the final Test vs the visitors in Nagpur.

The independent ICC Code of Conduct Commissioner's decision to reject Gambhir's appeal and uphold the penalty has left the Indian cricket board fuming.

Not that the Indians were expecting Gambhir to walk away scotfree.

But, the BCCI bosses were indeed hoping that the Delhi lad would get a fair hearing or maybe a legal representation.

"The Board of Control for Cricket in India received today at 13.30 hrs IST the order of Justice Sachs, Appeals Commissioner, on the appeal of Gautam Gambhir against the decision of Chris Broad, ICC Match Referee imposing a one-Test ban against him. The Appeals Commissioner has rejected the appeal and upheld the penalty of one-Test ban imposed by the ICC Match Referee," said the BCCI secretary N Srinivasan in a media statement.

He went on to add: "On receipt of the order, the Board has refused to accept the decision of the Appeals Commissioner and has sent its objection to the same to ICC. By deciding the appeal in a hurry without hearing the player serious damage/prejudice has been caused to Gambhir as the order is a permanent blot on him which has the potential of damaging a bright and successful career. The BCCI has refused to accept the decision and now looks all set for yet another conflict with the ICC. On receipt of the order, the Board has refused to accept the decision of the Appeals Commissioner and has sent its objection to the same to ICC."

Meanwhile, Justice Sachs, in his verdict, said: “I am prepared to accept that he (Gambhir) had been the victim of prolonged and persistent verbal abuse by members of the Australian team, culminating in a moment of anger that led to his unfortunate lapse. “(But) cricket is not a contact sport. Small collisions can lead to big ones. Players must constantly be on guard to avoid physical contact with opposition players. The risk of accidental collision must be cut down. Deliberate collision can never be condoned, however grave the provocation.“Accordingly, while not without sympathy for Gautam Gambhir, I cannot find that the penalty imposed on him is so disproportionately severe that I should intervene. He concedes that what he did was unacceptable. It was not the first time. Millions of people saw it. Though his excellence does not require him to be better behaved than mediocre players, it does not give him immunity from the rules of the Code of Conduct. The cricketing world is entitled to expect from him and all cricketers the highest standards. The rules against actual or threatened violence against opponents must be strictly enforced. The appeal must fail. The penalty stands.”

And, also stands the threat of further division in world cricket, Mr Sachs...