Yes, I am absolutely right. Cricket, said to be gentleman’s game (tough to say in today’s context), is in danger now. Some people are involved in conspiracy (as told by Navjot Singh Sidhhu in a TV interview) to restrict Indian tigers to achieve the status of the top team in the world.

It was tough for the Australian team to digest the Twenty20 defeat and they knew India could defeat them at Sydney Cricket Ground (termed later as Sachin Cricket Ground by Indian media) in the second Test in Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. So, they did all to make sure the defeat of India team on Sunday. It was Black Sunday for world cricket.

Both the umpires played a vital role to make sure Australia’s victory in the game. It was the worst match one could have ever seen in life and both the umpires were on high to establish Ponting’s men supremacy over India in the match.

Twelve decisions went against Indian players but Indians were in the match till the last eight minutes. Earlier in the day, Steve Bucknor did not think for a second to declare Dravid caught behind even the bat was miles away from the ball and the same umpire thought for long when Clark gave a thick edge to the ball to the first slip in the same match.

It was a thick edge and ball was in the hand of fielder but Bucknor was still thinking and Clark was waiting for his response. IT was a great show of playing spirit by the Australian star batsman.

The same Clark took a catch of Ganguly and Umpire Benson did not see the ball touching the ground before going into the hands of Clark. The ball was again in the contact of the ground when Clark was about to stand to celebrate the joy taking ‘magnificent’ catch.

Benson asked Ponting ‘ Was it a catch? His ‘master’ Ponting said yes it was, and Benson declared Ganguly out. What a game it was. Sunil Gavasker reacted strongly on the decision and asked Benson why didn’t he ask Ganguly when he could ask from a fielder about the catch?

I can say with confidence the kind of fighting spirit Indian bowler-captain Kumble shown in the second inning was unmatchable and none of Australian player was near to his playing and fighting spirit.

Enraged with the series of umpiring errors in the match, the Indian team management requested the ICC not to depute the two umpires - Steve Buckner and Mark Benson - for any of their future matches. Asked if he thought the match had been played in the right spirit, Kumble said in post-match press conference,

Only one team was playing in the spirit of the game.

It was actually a evocative of Australian captain Bill Woodfull’s words during the 1932-33 Bodyline series against England.

Kumble also said he would review the captains’ agreement with Ponting about taking the word of the catcher in controversial decisions. He said in the wake of Clarke saying he had caught Sourav Ganguly.

However, he didn’t say anything on the umpiring except ‘you all saw what happened.’

At the end of the day, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was banned for three Test matches after the ICC match referee Mike Procter upheld the Australian charge that he had racially abused Andrew Symonds.

The Indian team may appeal against the within 24 hours. Cricket fans and formers Indian cricketers have reacted in anguish and outrage to the decision that was based on verbal testimonials by two Australian players. ICC ignored Sachin’s statement who was there in the field with Harbhajan.

Meanwhile, the Indians have also filed a complaint against Australian spinner Brad Hogg for using abusive language against Kumble and Dhoni during the ill-tempered second cricket Test.

It was real conspiracy to keep Harbhajan away from the tour because he has become threat for Ricky Ponting for taking his wickets nine times in test cricket. It is up to the BCCI to take a strong decision in this matter because the whole world knows that the world cricket can’t go without Indian support so Pawar and his team should support the Indian team and teach the ICC masters a good lesson.