BCCI warns Aussies of tit-for-tat treatment in India

WORDS OF CAUTION: Aussie media claimed Bhajji had 'aped' like a monkey towards the Sydney crowd.

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Melbourne: BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah on Monday warned that 'unnecessary' targeting of Harbhajan Singh by Australian spectators and media could result in a similar treatment for the world champions when they tour India later this year.

Harbhajan was cleared of any wrongdoing by match referee after local media reported that the off-spinner had 'aped' like a monkey towards the Sydney crowd during the first tri-series finals and the BCCI seems to have lost its patience after the latest controversy.

"Let Australia come to us and see what the (Indian) crowd might do," Shah said.

"It's not a good thing, people must forget. All these reports are unnecessary, when your team comes here, if it's too much media attention maybe there will be the same crowd behaviour in India," he was quoted as saying by The Age.

Shah also said the board officials will tell Harbhajan not to react to provocations from spectators or rival players in future when he returns home from the tour. "Any indiscipline, we do not tolerate. We always say don't react. (Harbhajan) has to learn from senior players like Sachin Tendulkar."

Meanwhile, Harbhajan rubbished the allegations and said no evidence could be produced to prove him guilty.

"Obviously, they wouldn't have anything because I didn't do anything," said Harbhajan on arriving in Brisbane for the second final on Tuesday.

"Some of the verbal attack which the crowd was directing at me was despicable. It crossed all limits of decency. But my word, as a professional cricketer, my entire focus was ensuring that we as a team did well in the match," Harbhajan said.

The International Cricket Council also ruled out taking any action against Harbhajan for lack of evidence against him.

"I have investigated the alleged incident with Cricket Australia's ground security officials after reading newspaper reports and viewing related photographs that have been published. After reviewing all available information, I conclude that there is no need to take any action against Harbhajan Singh," match referee Jeff Crowe said in a statement.

Indian team manager Bimal Soni said, "This is the imagination of the Australian press, which has been trying to add pressure on Harbhajan at every moment."

Harbhajan also found support from the legendary Australian captain Allan Border who praised the bowler for his behaviour after he was baited by the SCG crowd. "I was over that side of the ground and Harbhajan was copping a fair bit of stick from the crowd," Border said. "I didn't notice any gestures at all and I thought he handled himself pretty well. It's not a big deal," he added.