Indian opener Gautam Gambhir was on Friday banned for one Test for his on-field clash with Australian all-rounder Shane Watson during the third Test here. Gambhir, top scorer for the hosts with 206 in the first innings, will miss the fourth and final Test in Nagpur from November 6-10, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement.
However, the left-hander has the right to appeal against the decision within the next 24 hours. Gambhir, 27, appeared to elbow Watson after the all-rounder seemed to mutter something to the Indian batsman as he took a second run in the 51st over of Wednesday's play.
"The decision to find Gambhir guilty of a level two offence is indicative of the fact that any degree of physical contact is unacceptable," match referee Chris Broad said in the statement. "I would have been obliged to impose a minimum penalty of two-Test match ban. (But) in the view of the umpires, facts of this case - the lightness of the physical conduct and element of provocation - would not justify such a penalty.
"I have also taken into account the previous offences of Gambhir and therefore I am satisfied that the penalty imposed is an appropriate outcome in the circumstances. I hope Mr Gambhir will learn from this."
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