Chat: Bhajji needed to be sent a strong message

Nishant: Hi Gaurav, The punishment meted out to Bhajji in so far as IPL goes is a fair call but should the BCCI also independently take an action and punish him further affecting his international career? One must consider the fact that we in India are seriously suffering a drought of quality spinners, will it be a good idea to, lets say, give him a life ban or even a ban of a few test matches, when we don’t have anyone to really replace him. As it is Kumble is ageing, Pyusish Chavla we all saw in the recent South Africa series is not yet up to the mark and hence that leaves us with no one with experience and ability.

Gaurav Kalra: I think that the game goes on if the BCCI does indeed punish Harbhajan more. It may not be such a bad move after all; missing the chance to play for India is a different feeling I am sure to missing the chance to play for Mumbai Indians. I have a feeling that if anything it will drive the message home even more strongly but then I am not judging these things so my view shouldn't really matter!!

Indiancricket: On Bijulal's ques and your response, can we also not say "I told you so" about Symonds the way he went about picking on Harbhajan and then felling a streaker; two unrelated events but proving that Symonds was itching for a fight. So, I am not of the belief that we should bring the Aussie "monkeygate" episode into this and the Indian media needs to set the example here by standing up for the Indian players

Gaurav Kalra: The media's job is report the facts as they see them and not stand up for players come what may...We are journalists, not cheer leaders...There is no doubt that Harbhajan's history of code of conduct violations has hurt him in this case too...and please remember what Justice Hansen said while judging his appeal...he said that Harbhajan would have faced a much stronger punishment had he known of his earlier code of conduct violations so he escaped with a 50 per cent ban only on a technicality.

Mukesh Kumar: There have been reports that Sreesanth had been warned several times during the course of the match and even prior to the match. Bhajji asked him not to abuse him and Sree did it again with Robin while he was batting and with Khote. The chap is taking things granted and I believe that aggression is important but you need to match it with performance as well. I heard Sree saying to a South Indian channel that the incident took place because he is lone member from Kerala and the slap was beyond what was being said about. While he went on to say to the Hindi news channel that it was all over and Bhajji was like his brother. What the hell is going on? BCCI ears have gone deaf .Why you people are reluctant to portray this double side of Sreesanth.

Gaurav Kalra: Hi Mukesh. I think Sreesanth has got the message this time around...he has crossed the line more than once and while it was endearing to start with; it has started to irritate people now BCCI bosses too have made it pretty clear that he is walking a thin line maybe this was the last straw and he will be able to mend his ways before some kind of serious incident occurs.

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