BCCI Power

Bigger than the test series drama was the Harbhajan's racial abuse episode. Only Bhajji knows, if he called Symonds a 'monkey' or not. Justice has come, and Bhajji along with the Indian team is now relieved/relaxed with a sense of victory. On the other hand, Aussies who managed to hand a 3 match ban to Bhajji through the Umpires and Mr Procter (match referee), are furious and dejected as can be seen in the picture below.

Money speaks. BCCI's riches forced the ACB (Aus Cricket Board) to bend on their knees, as BCCI threatened to cancel the ongoing tour. The T-20 match alone is expected to attract big crowds, even Bigger contracts from the Broadcasters, basically Millions of $$, which ACB can't afford to loose.Umpires/referres/Players all now know the BCCI's (financial) power, they run the world cricket. Saying all this, I believe that there should be equal standards for all teams/players, treat them all equal. Although, history shows, that it’s the sub-continent players, who have been at the receiving end always. So let’s hope for things to get better, so that we spectators can enjoy this gentleman's game.

Without doubt, Aussies started and mastered the on field sledging, until Indians gave it back to them. I assume, with all that has happened, there will be very little sledging, if any, in the ODI series. But, Aussies are real professionals, and Yuvi's absence is only going to hurt India chances as Aussies will look to fight back even harder.

Memorable Win@Perth

Harbhajan Singh, not in the squad, did the honors with the Indian flag

After a demoralizing ill-fated defeat at Sydney, when every one counted the men in Blue as down and out, they came thundering back and swept the might Aussies on the floor at their so called home den-Perth.

It was a remarkable team effort, and they handed the Aussies their 1st defeat in last 10 yrs at Perth. History repeated itself, and it was again India who broke their 16 match winning streak. Remember the 2001 series, when they tormented Steve Waugh's believed to be unbeatable team, at the famous Eden Gardens.

This test will go into the record books as one of the greatest Indian wins abroad. Each player gave 100% and Kumble's captaincy should be praised. Indians have a good chance to turn the tables around again at Adelaide now. Keep watching.

Historical SCG test match

The match that was marred by Controversies. What was expected to be the match of the series will now go into the record books as one with the most controversies. At one point when India looked in great position to win the match or at least get an encouraging draw later on, in came into the limelight Mr Bucknor very well supported by not only the 2nd umpire MR Benson, but also the TV umpire BNJ Oxenford. Indians at the end of the match are down and out psychologically, as they lost a match that they could have won actually. It will take an extra ordinary effort to get out of this. The players are getting immense support from all around, because they played very good cricket. I don’t remember when the Indian team got this much of support even on loosing a match.

A couple of decisions here and there will never matter, to err is Human. But the wrong decisions in this not so happy test match at the SCG were just too many to be counted on fingers. And unfortunately majority of them went against the Indians. To add to the wounds, the decisions involved the key players, Symonds (not given out on 3 occasions, all were easy decisions) went on to make highest test score and then the Wall and the man in the form of his life (Dravid & Ganguly) both fell to wrong decisions. Had the wrong decisions involved tailender batsmen like Stuart Clark or RP Singh, not much would have been said.

One can always debate a LBW, but how can one defend a clear caught behind, which was even heard in the stands, and what about the stumping that was never referred to the 3rd Umpire. To add more insult, Bhajji has been suspended for 3 matches, when there are no audio/video, in fact no evidences against him. Sachin and the whole team and the BCCI is with Bhajji, really nice to see that. I hope things turn around and the ban is revoked. I doubt, if the tour will be cancelled as there is so much of money involved, may be which has more value than the self respect for the BCCI.

The Indians should forget it fast, so as it doesn’t impact the next 2 matches, easier said than done.

Questions (not so relevant) that come to my Mind: Why is there no Indian umpire in the world cricket today? In fact there are hardly any umpires from Pak and SL, these countries aren't new to cricket. Effort should be made to bring umpires from these countries as well, and retire the 60+ umpires like our very own Mr Bucknor. Records show that he is involved in dubious decisions against Tendulkar on more than one occasion. I have never seen an Indian match referee.

Suggestion: With the wealth power that BCCI have, they should strongly voice their support for the players and the team. I’m sure even ICC can’t afford to loose the revenues from India.