Nagpur: The big news from Nagpur, is the one-Test ban on Indian opener Gautam Gambhir is fast turning into another showdown between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). On Tuesday, the ICC appointed appeals commissioner, Justice Albie Sachs, upheld the ban on the in-form batsman, triggering an instant reaction from the BCCI which protested against the undue haste and unfair manner in which the decision was taken.
The selectors called up Tamil Nadu's opener M Vijay as cover for Gambhir. Vijay has been in good nick, scoring a double century against Maharashtra. But the Indian think-tank would have been keen to play Gautam, who is leading scorer in the series so far with 463 runs. ICC says case is closed, decision "final and binding".
The Vidarbha Cricket Association's decision to disallow India and Australia from practising at the match venue has not gone down well with both teams. On Tuesday, the teams practiced at VCA's old ground whereas he match is scheduled to be held at the new stadium on the outskirts of the city.
Harbhajan Singh, who addressed the media on Tuesday, said the Indian team was planning to have a practice season at the new ground on Wednesday. Indian coach Gary Kirsten and Oz skipper Ponting visited the new stadium and had a look at the pitch. The whole team will go there tomorrow and may be we will have a fielding session over there.
On the cusp of completing 300 Test scalp, Bhajji rued missing the milestone in Mohali. "It's been very very long journey with many ups and downs. It would have been nice to take the 300th wicket in Mohali. But I will look to do it in Nagpur, I will try to bowl well here and win the game for the country, which is more important than personal milestones."
But Harbhajan Singh did concede that the team will miss the service of Kumble and Sourav. "It's a very-very big shoe to fill. We will definitely miss Anil Bhai in the dressing room."