KEY POINTS:
Batsman Gautam Gambhir's one-test ban has again drawn attention to the acrimony that has marred India's recent tussles with Australia.
International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Chris Broad suspended Gambhir for elbowing Shane Watson while taking a run on the opening day of the third test in New Delhi.
Australia all-rounder Watson was fined for provoking the batsman, the incident forcing the umpires to intervene after escalating verbal clashes.
Gambhir was fined for barging into Shahid Afridi in a one-dayer against Pakistan last November.
The Indian cricket board has lodged an appeal against his latest ban, which would allow the 27-year-old to play in the fourth and final test.
This series started in the shadow of India's tour to Australia in January when spinner Harbhajan Singh was at the centre of another storm.
India then overstepped the line again when paceman Zaheer Khan was fined 80 per cent of his fee in the second-test win in Mohali for a verbal send-off of Matthew Hayden after the Australia opener had been dismissed.
Players from both sides made good-behaviour pledges before the series but have since shown scant regard to Broad.
Some pundits say the Indians are adopting a tit-for-tat approach against Australia, who have long been accused of gamesmanship.
"It is a sign of self-belief," former India captain Ravi Shastri said. "Give back as good as you get but make sure you don't cross the line and look stupid. It is India who have played well against Australia in the last three or four years."
Shastri said England skipper Kevin Pietersen had shown it was best to stand up to Australia.
Shastri backed Gambhir's ban and warned players against violating the spirit of the game.
Australia trail 1-0 in the series.
