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There was no shortage of drama during India's tour of Australia. Here is a quick recap of
the controversies that plagued the Indian cricketers on the long tour.

It all started with the infamous Sydney Test, the second of the four-match Test series.
India had lost a tense match to Australia by 122 runs and the hosts equalled their own
record of 16 consecutive Test match victories. But it was a match marred by poor
umpiring and even poorer sportsmanship by the Australian cricketers, who claimed unfair
catches and waited for the umpire's decision despite edging thickly to the wicketkeeper.
India captain Anil Kumble accused Australia of unsportsmanlike conduct after the loss
and the team's manager called for the ''incompetent'' umpires to be replaced.

In pic: Ricky Ponting indicates to the umpire that the catch by Michael Clarke was clean.
(Getty Images)
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Steve Bucknor, a veteran of 120 Test matches, was at the centre of it all. The West Indian
umpire gave Andrew Symonds not out when the player edged a catch behind. Symonds
later admitted he had nicked the ball. Bucknor gave a number of other wrong decisions
against the Indians, who wanted him removed from officiating further in the series. After
BCCI's strong demand, the ICC ousted Bucknor after the Sydney Test for his consistent
exhibition of poor umpiring in the Test.

In pic: Umpires Mark Benson and Steve Bucknor have a word with Harbhajan Singh as
Sachin Tendulkar looks on. (Getty Images)
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But it was an apparently friendly gesture by Harbhajan that set off a series of allegations
and counter allegations. Brett Lee had bowled a yorker to Harbhajan, which the off-
spinner played to fine leg. He then patted Lee on the back while taking a single.
Symonds, ever the guy ready for a bit of banter, went up to Harbhajan and told him in
foul and abusive language that he had no friends among the Australians.

In pic: Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds at the Sydney Test.

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The temperamental Harbhajan became angry and responded immediately. It was accepted
by Symonds that some of the Indian's response was in his native language. The Aussies
alleged that Harbhajan called Symonds a 'monkey', while the Indians said that he only
muttered "maa ki…" in Hindi. Whatever he said, the incident prompted the Aussies to
lodge a complaint with ICC Match referee Mike Procter who imposed a three-Test ban on
Harbhajan.

In pic: Harbhajan Singh takes a commando roll to celebrate removing Ricky Ponting.
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But the Indians would have none of it. They insisted that Harbhajan did nothing wrong
and no racist comment was made. They promptly lodged an appeal and in an independent
hearing, New Zealand High Court judge John Hansen overturned the ban. The BCCI had
suspended its team's tour of Australia pending the outcome of the appeal. Harbhajan,
though, was held guilty of a much lighter offence of using offensive language for which
he was fined.

In pic: Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden at
Harbhajan Singh's hearing.
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But the Indians would have none of it. They insisted that Harbhajan did nothing wrong
and no racist comment was made. They promptly lodged an appeal and in an independent
hearing, New Zealand High Court judge John Hansen overturned the ban. The BCCI had
suspended its team's tour of Australia pending the outcome of the appeal. Harbhajan,
though, was held guilty of a much lighter offence of using offensive language for which
he was fined.

In pic: Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden at
Harbhajan Singh's hearing.
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After the Test series, the Sri Lankans landed in Australia for the tri-series against India
and the hosts. And with it came more controversy. Muttiah Muralitharan was at the
receiving end of a rotten egg from spiteful Aussie cricket fans near the team hotel. The
Lankans, however, laughed it off and averted a further crisis.

In pic: Muttiah Muralitharan is congratulated by his teammates.

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Causing another controversy were the gloves Indian keeper and captain MS Dhoni wore
during a match against Australia. The match referee Jeff Crowe pulled him up and asked
him to change them for not measuring up to rules. The rules state that the webbing of a
wicketkeeper's gloves should not go beyond the length of thumb and the finger.

In pic: Mahendra Singh Dhoni follows the course of the ball.

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The bad blood between the Indian and Aussie cricketers continued off the field. Matthew
Hayden ruffled quite a few feathers when he described Harbhajan Singh as an 'obnoxious
little weed' and also invited young paceman Ishant Sharma "into a ring" for a boxing
bout. The Australian board charged Hayden with breach of its code of behaviour, but later
let him off with only a reprimand.

In pic: Matthew Hayden walks back after an innings.

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And at the end of all that, Harbhajan had a tough time with the crowds, who booed and
abused him. Spectators claimed that Harbhajan had motioned as if to scratch his armpits
with both hands in the manner fans employed when taunting Symonds in the one-day
series in India last year. Harbhjan said, "Trust me, I didn't say anything to the crowd, but
the language they said to me was despicable," he said. "It crossed all limits of decency."
He added, "I had smoke coming out of my ears."

In pic: Say what? Harbhajan Singh reacts to sections of the SCG crowd.
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Other things could wait, it seemed, as India celebrated
their victory over Australia in the grudge series, which has
been called "Summer of Spite" by the Australians
themselves.

In pic: The Indian team celebrates with the trophy after winning the Commonwealth Bank Series
beating Australia by 9 runs at the Gabba on March 4, 2008 in Brisbane, Australia.

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Budget blues, market crashes and all other issues took a backseat, as newspapers, TV channels
and radio stations went all out to celebrate the great cricketing moment.

In pic: The Indian team celebrates after winning the Commonwealth Bank Series. Getty Images

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The victory, which Sachin Tendulkar called the biggest
victory since the Twenty20 World Cup win last year
elicited wide front page coverage across the national
dailies.

In pic: Harbhajan Singh and Sachin Tendulkar of India

celebrate after winning the Commonwealth Bank Series.
Getty Images

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On Wednesday, the Times of India screamed, "We are the Champs" across the front page and
followed it up with stories inside. "Indians rule the 'roos" it added and then celebrated it with
"Bubbly flows, Team India rocks through the night".

In pic: Sachin Tendulkar celebrates victory with his fans in his last game on Australian soil after
the Commonwealth Bank Series second final between Australia and India. Getty Images
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The Hindustan Times punned with its the banner headline
on front page, "Truimph against all Oz" and inside they
called it the "Summer of Spunk" and "Wizards of Oz".

In pic: Sreesanth of India celebrates after winning the

Commonwealth Bank Series. Getty Images

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If there was a reception for the World Cup winning Colts - organised by the
flamboyant Vijay Mallya in Bangalore - be sure, there will be an open top bus parade for seniors,
too.

In pic: Robin Uthappa of India celebrates victory after the Commonwealth Bank Series second
final between Australia and India. Getty Images

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Dhoni refused to take any credit for his side's triumph and
had an interesting theory to explain why he retained his
calm in moments of extreme crisis during the second final
at the Gabba."Everyone is under pressure. If bowlers are
trying to do well, then even the batsmen are trying to finish
off the job. By delaying things and taking your time, you
are putting extra pressure on them

In pic: Harbhajan Singh and Sachin Tendulkar of India celebrate after winning the
Commonwealth Bank Series. Getty Images

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"We wanted to surprise Australia with Piyush Chawla in the
finals. He mixes it well, he varies his pace and has a
googly which turns on any wicket. He is also very
consistent with his line and length. He would become a
better bowler with exposure. As for Robin, he can do more
damage at number six or seven. If he settles down as an
opener, he would buy a few more games for himself."

In pic: Harbahjan Singh of India celebrates victory after the

Commonwealth Bank Series second final between
Australia and India. Getty Images

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As for himself, Dhoni was happy to get a few extra days break for himself and
openly expressed his worry about the amount of cricket being played.

In pic: Harbhajan Singh of India celebrates after winning the Commonwealth

Bank Series. Getty Images

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"I haven't driven a bike for a long time. If the series had gone to the last game, we would've
boarded the flight on March 9 and hardly got time for ourselves as there is a meeting on March
17 or 18. We need some rest," said Dhoni.

In pic: Harbhajan Singh of India celebrates after winning the Commonwealth Bank Series. Getty
Images