Harbhajan race row: Ganguly says India not upset
Sydney (PTI): Australia's racial abuse complaint against Harbhajan Singh may have given a seemingly nasty turn to the ongoing Test series but Indian batsman Sourav Ganguly on Saturday rubbished suggestions that the issue has upset the visiting side.
"We walked out in the field normal. I don't think many of them were aware of what exactly had happened. So there was no such discussion within the team," Ganguly said after the fourth day's play in the second Test here today.
Applauding Harbhajan Singh's competitive streak despite being under pressure, Ganguly said the off-spinner has shown his class by not letting the incident affect his on-field performance.
"He's a competitor, he's got a lot of quality in him, quality players will always produce their best under pressure," Ganguly said. SPORT IND GANGULY RACISM 2SPORT IND GANGULY RACISM 2
"All men can't be the same. It's not right for me to say that's the way it should be. That's the way he is and that's the way we all are. We are different, we react differently to different situations. As human being we will have to accept it," Ganguly said.
Australian opener Matthew Hayden, who struck his 29th century during the day, echoed Ganguly's views on Harbhajan's celebrations.
"I think it's perfect. I don't think anyone complained even though it (celebration) was more than when I got my hundred."
"That's just the intensity of our game. Celebration is always an important part of our cricket. Some people celebrate with enormous pride and great passion," he said.
Harbhajan got Ponting again in the second innings to go with his first, and this coupled with his dismissal of the Australian captain in the Melbourne Test means he still has the measure of the right hander.
"Ponting is a good player. It's good that we are getting him out early. It doesn't matter who gets him out," remarked Ganguly.
"In the Australian side, if we can get Ponting, and we can get Hayden, I think we can put them under lot of pressure."
