The ?abusing and pushing? incident involving Ravindra Jadeja and James Anderson happened in the presence of two Indian cricketers. It is learnt that Gautam Gambhir and R Ashwin saw Anderson pushing Jadeja on the steps leading to the Trent Bridge dressing room on the second day of the first Test.
Those in the know say that after the running on-field battle between the England pacer and the Indian all-rounder, the situation flared up when the two came face-to-face after crossing the boundary line at lunch break. Sources from the Indian camp say the altercation resulted in Anderson shoving Jadeja on the chest.
With ICC appointing a judicial commissioner to probe the Level 3 charge brought by Indian team manager Sunil Dev against Anderson, Gambhir and Ashwin might be called for the hearing that needs to commence within 14 days. If found guilty, Anderson could be banned for at least two Tests.
ENGLAND CHARGE JADEJA
Meanwhile, England manager Phil Neale, on Wednesday, charged Jadeja of a Level 2 offence. The ICC email quoting the England complaint says that ?after the players left the public area and entered the pavilion, Jadeja turned suddenly and took steps towards Anderson in an aggressive and threatening manner.?
Dhoni, who convinced the Indian manager to press charges against Anderson despite the reluctance of top BCCI officials back home, said aggression is fine but the guidelines of the game should be followed.
Speaking at the media interaction on the eve of the second Test, Dhoni said: ?Like in a press conference, you can ask me tough questions. I have the right to answer them or not to answer them, but in no way can I go and touch you. Nor can you come and touch me.?
His rival, England captain Alastair Cook, said he didn?t see the incident and was surprised that India had complained. Later, he went on to add that bringing in ?Level 3? charge could be tactical. When asked if the old cricketers? code of ?what happens on the field, stays on the field? should have applied here, Cook was again non-committal. ?But that isn?t something that happened on the field,? was the England skipper?s response.