First of all i want to congratulate aussies. Their dirty tactics worked and now one of the indian batsmen who is in his supreme form is out for the next match. If we start penalising aussies for their spirit then i guess only 5-6 players will be available for next matches.Such a pity !!!

UNDOUBTEDLY THE ANSWER IS A BIG "NO" - Dipak Mitra, Sikkim

1. Ban is too tough? I say no, he deserved a punishment, if not a sterner action. I feel he got away too lightly. This is not gully cricket. Every action on the field is recorded and broadcasted by zillions of news channels. Is this the sort of cricket we want to play? or is this the examples our national team want to set. The sport is bigger than the players ego's and personal grudges. Physical abuse, under whatever circumstances, shud not be tolerated.

2. Is the game losing its spirit. Yes, incidences like these are perfect example. Aggression is good, and required, but the players should be aware not to cross the line.

No No No. Cricket has not lost its Charm nor the credentials of gentlemanly sens of the game. Only the watch dogs are not behaving as gentleman. In any controversy, the referee always award a severe punishment only to Asians and take soft corner to whites. The referees are never Gentlemen and always have a biased opinion. We Asians are not mighty enough to teach lessons to the referees in spite of all Financial muscles we possess. The decisions awarded by the so called referee are utter nonsense.

M.Suryanarayana

i believe that the ICC has the power to ban any player which violates any of the ICC code of conduct. in one of the laws , it is mentioned that physical contact of any manner is unlawful. Since Gambhir had committed this offence more than once, it is naturally obvious that action should be taken against him. i also believe that the Indian Management should start an Anger Management session with the Indian team.

The Aussies might be the instigators but the reciprocal effect was illegal. i believe that it is only in the indian Aussies series where we get to see alot of bad blood, in some way cricket is losing its sporting spirit but , this is only between indians and the aussies. the other countries play cricket with a better temperament.

Yes,
The cricket has lost its sporting spirit.Because the only people who were following it (read Indians) have rebelled to raise voice against Aussies/England players.
God Bless Cricket
God Bless Aussie Cricketers
God Bless England Cricketers
God Bless Broad Family......

Cricket or any international game no more a "sports and pastime" as it was decades ago. It is taken very seriously as a profession where lots of money can be made but a short time to do it. Consequently, the competition is cut throat. Of course, don't forget media coverage and subsequent fan following. As they say, "it no more a sport but a war out there". And everything is fair in war. Naturally, the first casualty is, what old timers would call, sportsman spirit.

Coming to Gambhir's incident, I thought he was lucky it was not taken as level 3 misconduct. I think he was stupid to do physical infringement. Our Indian players should have lessons on how to retort to povocations on the field. And there can be no better person to teach them than Gavaskar, who is smart on all these things.

Most Unfortunate that cricket has been reduced from a gentlemans game to one of vagabonds.
If Watson had initiated this exchange, his punishment should be far more severe than that for Gautam.
It clearly smacks of nepotism, favouratism and Bias.
The same has occurred time and again, as was seen in Sydney, where the Aussies won only because the umpires played fraud.
The little Master, Gavaskar was absolutely right in his observation.
Time to set these biases to rest by ensuring honesty first and honesty last. which should be the single criteria for selecting umpires and judges.

Dear Sir
IT HAD LOST ALL ITS CREDITABILTY THE DAY WHEN THE NEWS HAD SPROUTED THAT MATCH FIXING WAS AND IS IN PROCESS

THANKS
REGARDS
SHYAMAL BHATTACHARJEE
bangalore-76

Yes, cricket is losing its sporting spirit.

Here we see clearly different yard stick applied to Gambhir and Watson while sentencing.

The sentencing is like one is hit with a stick and another with a straw.

There should be some equality when sentencing, this shows clearly the motive of match referee to give harsh punishment to Gambhir and letting off Watson with just a fine.

Why always Indians should suffer? Law is equal to all but here one law for Australians and other for Indians.