Zeenews Bureau
Perth, Jan 14: The Indian squad has decided to drop charges against Australian spinner Brad Hogg. The decision came after the skippers meeting, and Indian skipper Anil Kumble told the media that cricket was larger than an individual. But there will be no demand for dropping of charges against Harbhajan, the team manager said.
Brad Hogg welcomed the Indian team’s gesture and thanked them for keeping the spirit of the game paramount.
It was not known whether the Indians had worked out a peace deal with the Australians following the acrimonious developments in the Sydney Test or whether the hosts were
willing to reciprocate by withdrawing the racial abuse charge against Harbhajan Singh.
No Quid Pro Quo Expected
Team India hoped this goodwill gesture will help them in the case of Harbhajan Singh whose appeal to overturn the three-match ban, for allegedly racially abusing Andrew Symonds, is still pending.
Chief match referee Ranjan Madugalle, however, wasn`t sure if the Australians can drop the case against Harbhajan in a similar manner the Indians have done against Hogg.
"Technically, no," said Madugalle, when asked about the possibility.
But dropping of charges against Brad Hogg is not part of any deal with the Australians and the Indian team management was prepared to defend Harbhajan Singh in his appeal against conviction for alleged racial abuse.
"The two issues are absolutely independent of each other and we are prepared to slug it out in Harbhajan`s defence. There is no quid pro quo in this matter," Indian team`s media manager M V Sridhar said on Monday.
However, the team`s administrative manager Chetan Chauhan made it clear he would like to see the Australians reciprocate and drop the charges levelled against Harbhajan.
"It is up to them whether they want to allow the appeals process to go forward. It is a good gesture by captain Anil Kumble after discussions with BCCI officials and we now want to focus on cricket," he said.
Magnificent gesture
Match referee Procter described India`s move as a "magnificent gesture".
Hogg was charged under level 3 of the International Cricket Council`s code of conduct following allegations that he verbally abused Anil Kumble and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Hogg is accused of making the remarks during the final day of the controversial second Test in Sydney.
The alleged offence has been reported under paragraph 3.3 of the ICC code of conduct which refers to players or team officials "using language or gestures that offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies about the person on the basis of that person`s race, religion, gender, colour, descent, or national or ethic origin."
BCCI treasurer Ratnakar Shetty told reporters that the team had earlier spoken to BCCI president Sharad Pawar and office bearers to inform them of their opinion which was accepted by the authorities. He added that even the board was happy with the decision as it was a players issue and would be better if solved amongst the players itself.
He lauded the conduct of the Indian team’s captain and the senior players adding that it would be a very happy ending if Australians also dropped charges against Harbhajan Singh. BCCI had already filed an appeal to ICC in the case and Shetty said that BCCI was solidly behind Harbhajan Singh.
