Controversy averted by not playing Gambhir: Oz media

MELBOURNE: The Australian media on Friday lashed out at the Indian Cricket Board for its "childish" threat to field banned Gautam Gambhir in the final Test in Nagpur but said the BCCI averted a possible international controversy by applying "common sense" to leave the opener in the dressing room.
    
The Australian media said it was satisfying to see that the BCCI did not press into the matter despite "heated backroom haggling" by some of it's officials following Gambhir's appeal against the one-Test ban on him was turned down by ICC Appeals Commissioner Justice Albie Sachs, whose judgments the Board had initially refused to accept.
    
"It was no surprise the BCCI, the game's most powerful governing body, opted to huff and puff when Gambhir was suspended. Childish, but not surprising.
    
"In the end, however, all it proved to be was a veiled threat despite some heated backroom haggling from several officials," a report in the 'Daily Telegraph' said.
    
"It was a day of common sense. The BCCI -- not always known for its pragmatism -- wisely abandoned its threat to play the suspended Gambhir ... the right decision to make."
    
Another report in 'Sydney Morning Herald' said by dropping its threat to play Gambhir, the BCCI avoided an international incident and a possible forfeit.
    
"India avoided an international incident by leaving Gambhir in the dressing room. Sanity prevailed when India retreated from its earlier refusal to accept the decision of respected South African appeals commissioner Albie Sachs to uphold the ban."
    
"Ultimately, there was too much at stake -- Sourav Ganguly's farewell, VVS Laxman's 100th Test and the glory of winning the trophy India craves most -- to risk a forfeit," the report said.
    
The 'Australian' also felt a major controversy, like the one witnessed during Australian summer, was avoided by not playing Gambhir in crucial fourth Test.
    
"Common sense prevailed when India did not attempt to play suspended batsman Gautam Gambhir, avoiding another meltdown like the one which almost destroyed last summer's Test series in Australia," it said.
    
The 'Daily Telegraph' added that defying ICC's order would have embarrassed Indian members in the game's world governing body.
    
"On this issue, the BCCI knew it would have been ludicrous to fight the ICC, for cricket's governing body has two Indians in three of its most senior positions.
    
"Sharad Pawar is president-elect and will soon replace Englishman David Morgan, while Inderjit Singh Bindra is the ICC's chief consultant and a man of significant power.
    
"It wouldn't have been a good look politically if the BCCI tried to embarrass two men who have played such an important role in the rise of Indian cricket. What has some officials nervous, however, is when Pawar takes control of the ICC," it said.