Even before battle commences in the fourth Test, there was a minor flare up between the Indian and Australian camps, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India's joint-secretary, Ratnakar Shetty, launching a tirade against Australia's media manager, Jonathan Rose.
After the two teams finished their net session at the Wankhede stadium on Tuesday, Shetty lashed out at Rose for hurling expletives at the organizers of the Test.
Rose was upset after it was brought to his notice that photographs of Australian journalists that were handed over to the organisers for accreditation were misplaced. Making no secret of his displeasure he used the choicest of words and also said: "How can I trust the people in India?"
That hurt Shetty, who promptly complained to Australian team manager Steve Bernard.
"What is his status? How can he [Rose] make such generalizations and sweeping statements like that? I am the executive secretary of this association [Mumbai CA] and will not tolerate this. Indians are the most hospitable people in the world. He has no need to use such language," said Shetty.
Bernard was apologetic, but the damage had already been done. The MCA secretary was not prepared to take things lying down.
"He is in my country and he cannot say such things standing here," he told the Australian manager.
Shetty also forwarded his complaint to Cricket Australia chairman Bob Merriman, who had joined the team from the third Test in Nagpur.
More from rediff