Dear Seenu Subbu,

You would have got your answers regarding Perth by now,, eat your own words, my friend! Our batters not only survived,, how well they survived... think hard before u make the next comment on somebody else's ability - binay

Binay C, Hong Kong,

At least now that the strike is over, we can get a taxi.

Jon, Red Beach, NSW

go anil! give back to them where it matters most...on the field.

Rahul, Bombay,

All right, Mr.Kumble. We have the point, now. Please get on with the game now. WACA is a bouncing beauty, and I really hope you can save your face and the Indian team, after all this talk about "tearing up agreement". Please ensure your batsmen last for multiple sessions, the ones that scored centuries in Sydney, especially. May be we can justify all this bluster then.

Seenu Subbu, San Jose, US/California

one more thing before I put this out of my head. In both instances, shown by highlights on the cricket replays, it has been symonds who has approached harbajhan while batting. Surely he is the instigator. Harbajhan didnt leave is crease.. walk to midoff, call him a monkey and then return to his crease... did he. Kind of obvious who is looking for a confrontation.

mw, nz,

I am absolutely sure that, if Aussies play cricket with plasters on their mouth (without using sledging against rival teams), they will lose matches even in Aussies pitches. :)

Chan, Bangalore, India

"Sledging is part of the game, Australians say," . "That’s true, just as kicking people in the shins is part of football and punching people in the nose is part of rugby. Both these acts are punished. Offenders concede fouls and get sent off. Punishment doesn't stop it, but it keeps it under control. But sledging has been out of control for years...Australia has long promoted mental disintegration; as a result, we are facing the disintegration of cricket." -- Excerpts from Times Online column.
Aussies do you agree with this?

Chan, Bangalore, India

Here is a South African viewpoint: The Australians play ugly cricket. Many of my friends in Australia (I used to live there)have been saying this for years, and the rest of the world knows it. Australians HATE losing, and their behavior is appaling when they do (or think they might). Great winners, Poor losers. The chickens are coming home to roost for them. This incident was brewing for years, looking at the way the aussies play. There is a great saying: "give a man power if you want to test his character'. Australian cricket fails miserably on the character front.

I add - India's slow over rate and over-appealing has been shocking for years. South Africa's and West indies slow over rates are a disgrace. World cricket is in a sorry state.

Tr Pai, Johannesburg, South Africa

I would like to ask my fellow commentators ( people who write comments) that no one has asked what did symonds offer to bhajji and why the hell he wants to talk to bhajji.

Australians may be world champions, but they don't play their cricket in the spirit of the game ever and I believe if they stop their aggression they will be losing more matches than winning.

One day will come where australians will be like West Indies today and that time Australia will be more criticized for things they do at that time as well as for now.

Gopal Balaji, Chennai, India / Tamil Nadu

Why is it that nobody from the Indian team has denied that Bhajji said "monkey"? Kumble insists that Symonds started the altercation and admits that Bhajji "responded". Well what exactly DID Bhajji say?

Kumble etc insist that it wasn't racist. A strong echo from the BCCI last year when they insisted, during the one day series, that the monkey taunts from the crowd were not racist.

Again, what DID Bhajji say?

Digwald, Drummoyne, Australia

A few nationalist comments from the Aussies against this article. Nothing wrong with that.

But, does not the world know of the class of Australians? Their reputation (a dubious one at that) often precedes them. Perhaps, it is a reflection of an inferiority complex of being ex-convicts.

Kavin, London, UK

I thought I was reading an uk paper perhaps the aussie's haven't got their own. questions, will symonds be wearing his suncream as the make up of a 1900 music hall crooner? do the aussies still deliver their messages under the hotel room doors of the opposition? if it gets tight will the aussies resort to bowling under arm again (ask the chappel bros). India should make sure they lock their changing room doors or the sneaky aussies spies will be snooping around. and watch Tait, ponting seemed to imply he only chucks when he is trying to hard!!

malc, bedworth, uk

The gist of it is Indians feel Clarke is not someone to be trusted. And you cannot have an agreement with someone whom you dont trust.

Mehraj, India,

never mind symonds and harbijan, through all this ponting has been shown up. he would do well to learn from the dignity of kumble. the fact is ponting suffers acutely from small man's disease, he over-compensates for his lack of stature with his win at all costs attitude. its plain ugly. contrast his attitude with that of another short man - tendulkar. someone else he should learn from.

mark rogers, dubai, UAE

Thank you Mr Kumble for putting on the record your support of racism against Australians and persons of African heritage.

As some of the other posters have stated... well said.

May I humbly suggest that, considering the BCCI is to rip up the rule book and change the laws of cricket to suit themselves, a slight variation to the uniform (in particular the shirt) in test cricket, something more befitting a captain of a team that defends such lofty principles.... perhaps a change to the colour brown.....?

Michael, Sydney, Australia

Nice piece of pure fiction by Kumble. Do Indians walk?NO. Do they claim catches that are clearly dropped? YES (Dhoni in England). Do they appeal when they know it is not out?YES.(Just about more than anyone). So where is this great sporstmanship that India show. Are the BCCI the most pathetic unsportsmanlike organisation around? YES. How can you sook and demand a result of an appeal. What if the NZ judge finds him guilty. Is he all part of the conspiracy? As for Harbhajan. I would prefer him to play. Any bowler that is averaging 50 at the moment is fine by me. Give him a baggy green. If he plays it almost ensures a 4 nil series victory.

Steve, Brisbane, Australia

I still don't understand: the Australians are being criticised for appealing for catches in relation to which (according to Kumble) there was an element of doubt, as distinct from a "non-catch" (ie. one which indisputably bounced before-hand).

A player is either sure he caught a ball, sure he didn't catch a ball or unsure either way. If the latter, the umpire is the final arbiter of whether or not the doubt is sufficient to invalidate the claimed catch.

I can certainly understand that under no circumstances should a player appeal for an attempted "catch" if he is certain that it was not properly executed. But surely we are not expecting a modern, international and professional player NOT to appeal on the basis that he is mostly, but not entirely, sure the catch was cleanly taken?

I am all for sportsmanship, but to not be entitled to at least ask the question in relation to a catch which the fielder himself is unsure of is lunacy.

Dave, Perth, Australia

Quote from Michael Clarke "said he was 100 per cent certain it was clean". From Kumble "We had decided that in the case of a disputed catch we would take the word of the fielder concerned". Are we lead to believe then that Kumble and the Indians will only believe someone when they feel like it? Otherwise they will call them a liar. As for the racist remarks, what would have happened if Symonds had called Singh a towel head or raghead for example. The Indians would have gone home and been burning effigies in the streets. I am amazed how many Ozzies have been asking for Ponting and some others to resign or be sacked. They should be proud of probably the greatest cricket team ever. Sri Lanke were sent packing from Aus with serious doubts whether they were a good enough team to have international credentials. They then went out and spanked England in their next test.

A pom living in Perth, Australia.

Paul, Perth, Australia

RE. Adam, Sydney, Australia.
You're an obvious victim of the self-loathing Australian middle class, the one that stops you from seeing the truth where other cultures are involved. One rule for the Indians in cricket - ie, they do whatever they want - and the rest of the world can go to hell, eh. What a lovely world you live in, Adam.

Ashley , Sydney, Australia

In Australia when we are annoyed we write a letter to the editor. In India they get things rolling by burning an effigy. The truth is that India were comprehensively outplayed in the first two tests and trouble would have been brewing at home.

The Indians must be wearing teflon uniforms, because absolutely nothing is sticking to them and they have deflected their inept performances with aplomb.

The BCCI also need to take a good look at themselves. With a population circa 1.2 billion is this the best they can do against a population of 21 million?

The late Sir Edmund Hillary said, “Well, George, we’ve knocked the bastard off.” It's a good thing no Indian cricketers were in earshot!

John T, Melbourne, Australia

Reply to Joseph, Sydney: < You cannot blame poor umpiring decisions on the Australians> When did Kumble blame you for umpiring decisions? He blamed Australia for not playing in the right spirit, which has been written 1000 of times here and there. Google it, if required.

<we are the best cricket country in the world by far> Congratulations. But you don't win all matches, and you apply pressure tactics on the umpires, necessarily or unnecessarily.
India gives good competition to Aussies in Test, Oneday, Twenty20, believe me.

<If Harbijan Singh wants to be racist well then he should keep it to himself> It is Symmonds who started foul-mouthing, none of the australia players could provide a proof that Harbhajan said anything racist, other than their accusation. It could very well be a conspiracy by Ricky Ponting, because he has become Harbhajan's bunny.

I especially protest labelling Harbhajan racist. You guys are doing this mindlessly. Stop false accusation.

Manas, Dallas, USA

Kumble is obsessed with Australia not walking. Did Harbahjan not stand his ground when clean bolwed by Piertersen last year? the hypocrisy is astounding. People continue to bleat on aboout how the Indian players are so nice and polite and well spoken. I'm sure they are. Guess what? If you talk to Matt Hayden or Michael Clarke off the field they are very nice as well. Doesn't mean they can't be complete tossers on the field.

Phil, Brissie, Australia

Clarke is a serial grounder (One day match in Hobart recently)-I wouldn't trust him at all and hes touted as the next captain!! Standing is one thing, when you've nicked it to 5th slip its a disgrace. To me standing says "umpire, I am not sure I hit that-did I?" not "its up to you to give me out, I am not walking". They didn't like Bodyline and all that was just "playing the game hard".

Aussies, they don't like losing and they don't like being wrong even more...

Fred, Hobart, Australia

typical australians, on one hand you declare without out a doubt that your players are the finest in the world, and in the next breath claim they are as much victims of bad decisions as the indians. BOLLOCKS. if they are suck good cricketers they should know when ball hits pad and not bat.. and they should know when they ground the ball as clearly shown by relays. so either they are as good as you say and cheat when it comes to close calls.. or they are the luckiest team in the world get constantly get the rub of the green on decisions... which is it? and i would suggest you consider watchin the replay of clarkes catch before you open your yappers to reply.. surely hes good enough to know what happened.

MW, nz,

This episode has certainly showed the ugly side of modern cricket. Current day cricket players earn a lot of money hence the so called true spirit is always masked by the desire to be selected; examples for this are seen by cricketers from all the countries.
For those who say that umpiriing errors are part of the game - it is difficult to see the merit in this when the errors are lobsided (by a huge margin). I wonder what the response of Australian cricketers would have been if the glaring errors were against them? Playing hard does not mean that one has to be not honest?
These highly paid cricketers should learn from the behaviour of Pat Rafter, a well known and much loved Australian Tennis player.

After all the good will Mr. Kumble received from a number of Australians and Indians, hopefully he and his team will practice what they have been preaching!!

venkat, Adelaide, Australia

It is indeed most interesting to read that Ponting was unwilling to listen to Anil Kumble on the question of reporting the supposed racist incident. For too long in this saga have the Indians been painted as the "Good Guys".

Why has not Kumble spoken to Bhajji before the game and indeed at the beginning of the tour and set him straight. A repeat performace of the comments from the 20Twenty series is just not on. Had he been strong in this, just maybe the entire issue may not have occurred. Indeed I agree that Symonds should have stayed right out of it and in part has himself to blame.

Cricket is a game built on a "spirit" , but is that spirit demonstrated when the BCCI threatens and blackmails the international governing body. At all times Bhajji would have had the right to appeal - that is natural justice, but to bring on the threats of withdrawing from the tour is way over the top and simply amounts to attempted bullying and coercion. I am happy for them to go home.

Graham, Sydney, Australia

Excellent article Anil. Australians have been getting away with abusing other teams for far too long. It is nice to see another team stand up to them. Hopefully though he tour will not be called off.
Rajan

Rajan Mahadevan, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

RE: Ashley , Sydney, Australia

"God help us all when India, through sheer weight of numbers, and bullying, runs the world."

Please move to New Zealand.

ADAM, sydney, Australia

I am Australian living in Sydney (I was at the game) and the Indians are just sore losers. Australia played magnificently on the 5th day by taking all those wickets when clearly the game was going to be a draw. Say if India had of won, none of this controversy would have happened. You cannot blame poor umpiring decisions on the Australians. Its not our fault we are the best cricket country in the world by far. If Harbijan Singh wants to be racist well then he should keep it to himself.

Joseph, Sydney, Australia/NSW

Kumble leads a bunch of pampered cry babies who threaten to pull out every time a decision goes against them. It's what most people term gutless. Respect the rules of cricket or play some other game. I'm also very impressed that Kumble wants to sweep racism under the carpet. A man of real integrity. NOT. God help us all when India, through sheer weight of numbers, and bullying, runs the world.

Ashley , Sydney, Australia

Well said by and large. Interesting that only now though you admit India played poorly both in the field and batting in the second innings. I thought your little piece of theatre "only one side is playing cricket" comment was primarily a device to distract attention from your team's poor second innings performance and the Bhajji/Symonds incident. In that regard it certainly worked!

The Australian cricket team and players has taken enourmous criticism this week. A lot of it is justified and I'm hopeful there will be improvement in their onfield demeanour. That said it irks to see that much questionable onfield behaviour by the Indian team - time wasting, excess appealing, excess umpire dissent - has gone generally uncriticised or condemned.

Like every right thinking and sensible person I hope you and Ricky Ponting can agree a way forward and shared spirit before Perth.

Harry, Sydney, Australia

Dear captain, this is an artcle of magnificent quality. very well said. India continues the series or not, you have won the heart of millions, for being caring, truthful, articulate, maintaining dignity and displaying exemplary grace under pressure. Let all the dust subside, and let sports win. Let your hope be fulfilled.

Manas, Dallas, USA

I assume that Ricky Ponting will be given the right of reply to this article. Otherwise The Times will have shown itself to be biased. I imagine Ricky Ponting will point out times when Indian players have claimed catches that the replay showed were not taken, and times when Indian batsmen have not walked when clearly out. I hope Ponting also acknowledges that many Australians are not happy with the behaviour of their national cricket team. And that this behaviour will improve immediately.

Paul Obvious, Brisbane, Australia

Hey Anil

Don't necessarily agree with you on this stuff, but do agree that you are indeed all class. It's a complicated world!

Stephen Mac, Perth, Aus

Well Said Anil. Good to have you at the helm. To all the world, this is what Indian people are all about. You got to learn from them.

Presh, Wadebridge,

Very well written. Very articulate. Equally good off the field as on. This vindicates what I have felt over so many years. Anil Kumble should've been captain a very long time ago.

Bharat, Edmonton, Canada

Anil, you are a class act!

Ni, Portland, USA