The controversy started during the second Test match of the 2007–08 Border–Gavaskar Test series. Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) was established in January 2008.
The scandal arose from allegations of racial abuse on the Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and Australian all-rounder andrew symonds,
On the third day of the SCG Test (5 January 2008), Harbhajan Singh was accused of calling Andrew Symonds a “monkey” during a heated on-field altercation. Symonds, the only player of Caribbean descent in the Australian team, took the word as a racial slur.
Earlier, during the tour of India in 2007, Symonds had also faced monkey chants from the spectators, which made the situation more sensitive.
Match referee Mike Procter held a hearing after the match, which found Harbhajan guilty of racial abuse based on the testimony of Australian players including Symonds, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke.
Harbhajan was banned for three matches, which the Indian team strongly protested, claiming that there was no conclusive evidence of racial slurs, and Harbhajan denied using any racial slurs.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)BCCI) threatened to pull out of the series, calling Harbhajan’s punishment unfair.
The Indian team refused to go to Canberra for the next Test match until the issue is resolved. The BCCI has also filed an appeal in this matter. ICC Against the ban on Harbhajan
A formal hearing was later held by New Zealand High Court Judge John Hansen.
The charge of racial abuse was reduced to one of using offensive language after it was found that there was insufficient evidence to support the charge of racial slurs. Harbhajan’s ban was overturned and he was instead fined 50% of his match fee.
The resolution allowed the series to continue without disruption, but the scandal had serious consequences.
The incident led to strained relations between the Indian and Australian teams and to debate about on-field behaviour and the role of sledging in cricket.
Symonds was deeply affected by the scandal and the incident furthered his disillusionment with international cricket. He later admitted that the Monkeygate incident and its subsequent fallout had a lasting negative impact on his career.
The controversy sparked strong reactions in both countries, with the Australian media defending Symonds while the Indian media supported Harbhajan Singh.
The controversy led to intense scrutiny of player behaviour, umpiring, and the application of the ICC’s Code of Conduct, as well as efforts to prevent and manage racial issues on the cricket field.
role of Sachin Tendulkar
India’s greatest batsman Sachin TendulkarHis role in the Monkeygate scandal was significant, as his testimony was crucial in the final resolution of the controversy.
Tendulkar was batting with Harbhajan during the infamous clash with Symonds on the third day of the Test. As the prime witness to the incident, Tendulkar’s statement played a crucial role in the proceedings.
Tendulkar and Harbhajan were involved in a crucial partnership when the heated exchange took place. According to Tendulkar, Harbhajan did not use the word “monkey”, as alleged by the Australian players. Tendulkar said that Harbhajan used the word “monkey” – an offensive word in Hindi, but it is not racial.
Umpire Mark Benson speaks to Harbhajan Singh and Sachin Tendulkar while umpire Steve Bucknor looks on during the third day of the Sydney Test on January 04, 2008. (Photo: PRAKASH SINGH/AFP via Getty Images)
Tendulkar’s testimony was crucial in the second hearing led by Judge John Hansen, where the charge against Harbhajan Singh was reduced from racial abuse to using offensive language.
Tendulkar stood by Harbhajan during the proceedings and said that Harbhajan had responded to the taunts of the Australian players but did not use a racist word. His statement directly contradicts the claims of the Australian players, including Symonds, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke, who had supported the allegation of racial abuse.
As a respected figure in world cricket and a senior player, Tendulkar played a diplomatic role in defusing tensions between the two teams. His influence and testimony were crucial in resolving the scandal without further damaging India-Australia cricketing relations.
The support given to Harbhajan by the Indian team management as well as Tendulkar led to the BCCI taking a tough stand against the racial abuse charge, eventually resulting in Harbhajan’s punishment being reduced.
Tendulkar reflected on the Monkeygate incident in his autobiography “Playing It My Way” and reiterated that Harbhajan was wrongly accused of using a racial slur. He expressed disappointment at how the situation was handled, but was relieved that Harbhajan’s ban was overturned.
Tendulkar’s credibility as a cricketer and a man of high integrity was crucial in clearing Harbhajan of the charge of racial abuse and defusing a potentially damaging situation for both teams.
