The Hindu : Sport : Harbhajan case was fought on merit: Niranjan Shah

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Harbhajan case was fought on merit: Niranjan Shah

G. Viswanath

— FILE Photo

Niranjan Shah.

Rajkot: Niranjan Shah, Secretary, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) feels that the ICC should amend the Code of Conduct for Players to eradicate sledging.

“The racism charge was a serious matter and the BCCI went all out to refute this to protect the integrity of the players and the country. I am happy the truth has come out after the ICC conducted an enquiry,” said Shah in an interview to The Hindu on Monday.

Do you think the BCCI was embarrassed by the episode that dominated the second Test at Sydney?

It’s not an embarrassing situation at all. In fact, the BCCI was prepared to back its team fully and determined to remove the racism charge. It could have been avoided by the players. They should not have gone complaining to the match referee. Cricket is a gentleman’s game. And the cricketing world knows that the Australians are known for sledging; when they get it they should also learn to take it in a sporting manner, just as they believe in playing hard cricket.

Harbhajan only appreciated Brett Lee’s bowling; it was a good gesture by an opponent on the field. Why should Andrew Symonds get into the picture and comment upon it in a negative way saying “He (Harbhajan) has no friends among the Australians”. He also admitted to the use of foul language.

Was the racism issue taken too far by a few of the Australian players?

It’s taken too far by some of the Australian players. In fact the BCCI lawyer V. Manohar wanted to know if the usage of monkey or any other animal is construed as a racist comment. After this episode, the ICC must review the Code of Conduct for Players and it should try to eradicate sledging.

Is it an unnecessary episode that demanded the BCCI’s attention, time and money?

Yes. The BCCI had to convene a series of meetings and it has cost the BCCI a lot of money; running into several lakhs. But all this was done to remove the racism charge and protect the integrity of the Indian team.

Observers feel that the BCCI got away because of its bullying tactics or money power?

A. First, I would say that the case was fought on merit and according to procedure set out by the ICC. I am happy that the people have now begun to acknowledge and respect Indian cricket. Not long ago England and Australia called the shots.

Do you think Harbhajan too should have shown the maturity not to respond to Symonds’s comment?

The players must learn from seniors like Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, V.V.S. Laxman and Sourav Ganguly who have never been dragged into such controversies. That’s why the Indian players have always been respected for their behaviour.

I have in fact issued a stern warning to Sreesanth to control his emotions and aggression on the field citing the example of the senior players. Even after this episode, I have advised the players not to get into any form of sledging and focus on the remaining part of the series. Sledging has never been part of Indian cricket and culture. Indian cricket will always strive hard to maintain the reputation of cricket as a gentleman’s game.

Australia is going to play four Tests in India this October-November. How are the BCCI and the centres that are to host the four Tests prepared for this?

The BCCI will ensure that there will be no trouble from spectators. The Indian public admire the Australians for the way they play the game and appreciate their top class performances which all other countries want to emulate. But I hope the Australian players, many of whom are going to play in the IPL on a regular basis, show aggression in their game, but give up sledging. The previous Australian teams led by Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh in the recent past had turned to be a hit with the Indians. Many of the Australian players to name a few like Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne have proved to be crowd pullers.

Is Cricket Australia keen to have an iconic series with India?

Yes, they are. I had a discussion with CA CEO James Sutherland. Both of us have recognised that the India-Australia series should be played frequently. This has to be incorporated in the Future Tour Programme (FTP). It will bring a new dimension to India-Australia cricket and it will also become a big commercial success. But the BCCI as a whole has to take a decision on this. I will be talking to CA officials at the ICC Chief Executive Committee at Kuala Lumpur from February 17 to 20.

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