The controversy triggered during the 2007-2008 Border-Gavaskar Test series, during the second Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in January 2008.
The scandal arose from accusations of racial abuse involving Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds.
During the third day of the SCG Test (January 5, 2008), Harbhajan Singh was alleged to have called Andrew Symonds a “monkey” during a heated on-field exchange. Symonds, the only player of Caribbean descent on the Australian team, took the term as a racial slur.
Symonds had previously been targeted with monkey chants by spectators during India’s 2007 tour of India, making the situation more sensitive.
Match referee Mike Procter conducted a hearing after the match, where Harbhajan was found guilty of racial abuse based on the testimony of Australian players, including Symonds, Ricky Ponting, and Michael Clarke.
Harbhajan was handed a three-match ban, which the Indian team strongly protested, claiming there was no conclusive evidence of a racial slur, and Harbhajan denied using any racist language.
The Indian cricket board (BCCI) threatened to pull out of the series, alleging that Harbhajan’s punishment was unfair.
The Indian team refused to travel to Canberra for the next Test match until the issue was resolved. The BCCI also lodged an appeal with the ICC against Harbhajan’s ban.
A formal hearing was conducted later by New Zealand High Court judge John Hansen.
The charge of racial abuse was downgraded to a lesser charge of using offensive language after it was found that there wasn’t enough evidence to support the racial slur allegation. Harbhajan’s ban was overturned, and he was fined 50% of his match fee instead.
This resolution allowed the series to continue without further disruption, but there were serious repercussions of the scandal.
The scandal strained relations between the Indian and Australian teams, and it led to discussions about on-field behavior and the role of sledging in cricket.
Symonds was deeply affected by the scandal, and the incident contributed to his growing disenchantment with international cricket. He later admitted that the Monkeygate incident and the subsequent fallout had a lasting negative impact on his career.
The controversy sparked heated reactions in both countries, with the Australian media defending Symonds and the Indian media rallying around Harbhajan Singh.
The controversy led to increased scrutiny of player behavior, 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.
The role of Sachin Tendulkar
India batting legend Sachin Tendulkar‘s role in the Monkeygate scandal was pivotal, as his testimony was instrumental in the eventual resolution of the controversy.
Tendulkar was batting alongside Harbhajan during the infamous altercation with Symonds on the third day of the Test. As a key witness to the incident, Tendulkar’s version of events held significant weight in the proceedings.
Tendulkar and Harbhajan were involved in a crucial partnership when the heated exchange occurred. According to Tendulkar, Harbhajan did not use the word “monkey” as alleged by the Australian players. Tendulkar maintained that Harbhajan used a Hindi term – an offensive phrase in Hindi, but it is not racial.
Umpire Mark Benson talking with Harbhajan Singh and Sachin Tendulkar as umpire Steve Bucknor looks on during Day 3 of the Sydney Test on 04 January, 2008. (Photo by Prakash Singh/AFP via Getty Images)
Tendulkar’s testimony was critical in the second hearing led by Judge John Hansen, where the charge against Harbhajan Singh was downgraded from racial abuse to using offensive language.
Tendulkar stood by Harbhajan during the proceedings, stating that while Harbhajan had responded to the Australian players’ taunts, he did not use a racist term. His account directly contradicted the claims of the Australian players, including Symonds, Ricky Ponting, and Michael Clarke, who supported the allegation of racial abuse.
Tendulkar, being an iconic figure in world cricket and a senior player, played a diplomatic role in calming tensions between the two teams. His influence and testimony were crucial in resolving the scandal without further damage to the India-Australia cricketing relationship.
Tendulkar’s support of Harbhajan, along with the Indian team management, contributed to the BCCI’s strong stand against the racial abuse charge, which eventually led to the downgrading of Harbhajan’s punishment.
Tendulkar, in his autobiography “Playing It My Way”, reflected on the Monkeygate incident and reiterated that Harbhajan was wrongly accused of using a racial slur. He expressed frustration with how the situation was handled but was relieved that Harbhajan’s ban was overturned.
Tendulkar’s credibility as a cricketer and a person of high integrity was crucial in getting Harbhajan cleared of the racial abuse charge and diffusing a potentially damaging situation for both teams.