Didn't Shane Watson start the whole mess with Gambhir?

[zorrow]

If you see what had happened...it was Shane Watson who started the mess and not Gautam Gambhir. While Gambhir was taking a run, Watson deliberately got in his way, raised his forearm, and sledged him. All this happened while Gambhir was in the midst of taking the run.

Obviously the normal reaction to this would be to do a light jab on the bowler. It was only expected. Gambhir is only human. And it was not a hard jab on the ribs. It was a light tap and even a kid would not have felt it.

Maybe Watto should not have done what he did when Gambhir was taking a run. He could have waited until the run was completed or something like that to sledge Gambhir.

IMO, Watto got what he deserved under the circumstances and Gambhir reacted as most people would. He was not going to take it, he was going to give back. To be honest, I would have reacted the same way if the bowler tried to interrupt me while I was in the middle of taking a run.

Your comments.

[spider]

Ding Dong, the whole point of the story is that Gambhir raised his elbow and hit Watson. At no time did Watson strike Gambhir. If anything, Gambhir has form having been charged for the same offence against Pakistan. No Australian player has come close to this and this player has now been charged twice.

Now if the positions had been reveresed, I take it you would be supporting Watson.

[suja]

It all depends who you believe. watson doesn't have a record of bad behaviour on the field, therefore I tend to believe that Gambhir started it. It doesn't matter what anyone said, that happens all the time by ALL teams. The thing that does matter, is that physical contact in cricket is forbidden, sledging isn't.

[mike]

Watson did start whole this but he didn't physically attacked anyone. Gambhir should have use his mouth instead off elbow.

[hema]

its all good, the occasional clash is inevitable.
Especially between the 2 best teams in the world at the moment.

This "gentleman" bulls**t is getting ridiculous.

--- Watson was not in the wrong, its a good thing he plays the way he does, If India honestly didn't like it the media will do the rest, probably before both teams leave the field.

[cobra]

YES, YES, and OH YES.

Here we go again. Whenever Australians don't get their way they start some new circus tricks. They couldn't get Gambhir out so they were trying everything. Ponting, Watson, Lee, and Katich looked like they probably cried in the locker room during breaks, because they couldn't break the partnership. Aussies need to know that their era is over and other teams are going to beat them. Get over it, nothing can be number one forever and cheating don't make teams win, hard work and dedication does.

[undergroud]

Yeah Watson indeed started the whole thing but haven't we seen that (Aussies sledging)before......if Gambhir was not happy he can very well abuse him back, he is not having a chocolate in his mouth not to open....and he was not clear with his intentions.....he cannot do physical assault at any cost....he was sly in doing that...atleast when Zidane did that.. he knew what was going to come next and accepted the fact he did it deliberately and NOT lie and say it was not deliberate like Gambhir.......another thing hitting bussiness cannot work against everybody because for Watson height and physique he would have hammered Gambhir...when you said you would have reacted the same way, not everybody would keep quiet like Watson...
No matter what you blame the Aussies they follow the rules at most occasions everything they do within the rules...so always use your head before fighting

[master]

Oh boo hoo! These guys are playing MENS sport at an International level. If they can't handle a bit of sledging, perhaps they could take up knitting or macrame!!!! Sledging is and has been a part of cricket since time began and as long as it doesn't cross racist boundaries, then a player should..... TOUGHEN UP PRINCESS!!

And as for elbowing someone coz of a bit of sledging. That shows a distinct lack of intelligence if you ask me......

Some of you indian posters on here are nothing but hypocrites!!

EDIT: Shailesh G: That is just a bout as low as you can go! How dare you speak of someone like that who is no longer here to defend himself. And Food Junkies? As far as sledging goes, that is very very lame! And would you like to share with us where these clubs are that are run by 6 year olds? And as for child abuse, that is pretty low to bring that into it and blaming Australia - yes it is a problem but it is a problem everywhere in the world - I'm sure even perfect little india has it's share of kiddie fiddlers.

[visal]

Just another case of an Indian trying to defend inexcusable behaviour.
Yes it was the heat of the moment and yes it may be understandable but it was still wrong and you would be better off just admitting that.
It is good to see aggressive cricket but the lack of self dicipline shown by Gambhir is just indicitive of the real Indian cricket mentality.
They do not know about self dicipline and it will only be a short time before they fall back into their old routines and once again become the great underachievers of world cricket.

[smith]

It does not matter who started it. Watson is trying to abuse players because he needs to maintain his position in the Australian cricket team. The Aussies cannot play cricket without ABUSE.

Gambir needs to restrain himself from these verbal bickering and concentrate in making 200's and show Watson the Score Board. Watson's time is limited. You may never see him again. He is also injury prone. The Indians should call him a MARSHMELLOW .