In the latest revelation of the ongoing controversy between India and Australia, India had withdrawn the charge laid down against Australian spinner Brad Hogg and its time now for the Australian to payback with the same gesture, by putting down the racism charges rested on Harbhajan Singh in the same manner, and carry on on with the game since it is bigger and larger than every individual.
The Level Three charge for using abusive language intended at Indian skipper Anil Kumble and Vice-captain M.S. Dhoni were dropped at the hearing with match referee Mike Procter on Monday.
"Cricket is larger than any individual. It is important that we forget what happened in Sydney, it was just one of those bad moments, just an incident probably in the heat of the moment. So we decided as a team to move on and remove the charges against Brad Hogg. It's important that we move on," said Kumble after the meeting.
It is also come to know that both the captains have now agreed to discard the catching agreement, which was in place prior to the start of the series for. The captains had agreed to take the word of the fielder in that agreement, but after the Michael Clarke incident in Sydney, it has been decided to leave it to the umpires.
The much-awaited evening began with the captains’ meeting in the presence of mediator and ICC chief match referee Ranjan Madugalle followed with the hearing of Hogg that only lasted for 15 minutes.
Hogg had a huge sigh of relief after the charge being dropped from the Indian camp and he termed it as a kind and lovely gesture by the Indian team.
“It is much appreciated by myself and the Australian team. Hopefully, any future games between India and Australia are going to be close contests, good viewing for the spectators and played with much enjoyment by the teams,” said Hogg.
Match referee Mike Procter also termed it as a “magnificent” gesture by the Indian side.
“I was given a letter from the captain and the manager, stating that they were withdrawing their complaint,” Procter said.
“That’s all behind us now and we can get on with the cricket, which is great news. A wonderful gesture by India, showing the sportsmanship they possess and the way they play their game,” he further added.
After the charges against Hogg dropped, it is apparent that there must be some deal struck between two nations to sort out this matter amicably. However, it is come to know that Australia cannot drop the charges against Harbhajan because the umpires made the charge at the request of captain Ricky Ponting.
The issue is getting murkier day by day and the final decision on Harbhajan Singh’s appeal, against the three-Test ban imposed by Procter who had found the off-spinner guilty of racial abuse, will arrive after Justice Hansen hearing whom ICC has appointed.
The decisive date for the Justice Hansen hearing hasn’t been fixed yet, but somewhere it will take place after the Adelaide Test. The hearing will involve a re-telling of the evidences but to several reliable accounts, there was no substantial evidence against Harbhajan.
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