On a day when the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to replace umpire Steve Bucknor and allow Harbhajan Singh to play, the cricket crazy Bangaloreans heaved a sigh of relief that the false allegations against the Indian Team has been defeated.
Now, that the controversy was over, they wanted the tour Down Under to go and the team to play hard and defeat the Aussie at their own den. Following are a few reactions from cricket fans on racism charges, poor umpiring standards and finally the Indian victory.
It’s important to play in the spirit of the game. The ban on Bhajji was very harsh and now that the ICC has revoked the ban its a victory for India.
Sarah Chandy,
Employee, ANZ
The BCCI has once again proved that it is more powerful than the ICC. Pulling out of the tour would have made no difference to the board as shelling out two million US dollars is peanuts for the world’s most richest and powerful board. The ICC should now ask Mike Procter to pack his bag and also conduct a thorough inquiry on Brad Hogg’s alleged comments on the Indians.
Dayanath,
Ad Executive
Irrespective of the decision to be taken by ICC, the Indian team should have returned. It is not the first time that Indians are humiliated by Australians. This time taunting of Indians has become public knowledge because the media is hyperactive.
Nagaraj Selvanathan,
Director, Event Management Company, Chamarajpet
Harbhajan Singh deserves all the support from the Indian side and Aussies need to get their act right. Bucknor should retire from umpiring. Bhajji has been responsible many a times for Ponting getting out which could explain why he was named.
Arjun, Engineer, Flextronics
We are making a mountain out of a mole hill. Too much media hype, there are better things to focus on.
Deepak Sebastian, Representative,
Global Sport
I don't think Bhajji at anytime was racist. Sledging is a part of the game and Aussies are most famous for it. Aussies are always been involved in the centre of controversies--bodyline series for example. They should stop playing games and start playing sports.
Madan Nair, Managing Director, Physique India Ltd
We have to stand up for Bhajji during the entire tour as he has not spoken anything wrong and there is no evidence to prove that he used racial remarks.
Seema S Jain,
graphic designer
It’s a victory for India as Bucknor is not standing in remaining matches and ban on Bhajji has been revoked.
Shubrodeep, student
There has been always been some kind of racial discrimination against the sub-continent teams. The events taking place in the last few days looks like the match at Sydney was fixed.
Namitha R, student
The racism controversy is blown out of proportion by the Indians. Indians are complaining too much, like Srikanth said - play with the spirit of the game and finish the series, and to prove a point they should win the rest of the games.
Shravan Tejas, Head of Retail, Classic Group
