Double Standards

Watch this first: Gambhir Watson Incident 

and then watch this: Johnson Styris Incident 

Gambhir gets one test ban -  International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Chris Broad charged Gambhir with a level-two offence of not conducting play “within the spirit of the game as well as within the laws of cricket”.International Cricket Council (ICC) appointed commissioner Justice Sachs reached his verdict after studying video footage, documentary records and written submissions. “I am prepared to accept that he (Gambhir) had been the victim of prolonged and persistent verbal abuse by members of the Australian team, culminating in a moment of anger that led to his unfortunate lapse,” Sachs said.

Johnson was fined 60% match fee - Johnson, who was charged with a Level 2 offence, pleaded guilty at an early stage to avoid a full hearing. The umpires felt Styris contributed to the verbal exchange that preceded the physical contact and that his actions contravened clause 2.1.8 which covers actions that are contrary to the spirit of cricket or bring the game into disrepute. "Sometimes in the heat of competition players cross over the line of what is acceptable behaviour and that has clearly happened in this case," Madugalle said. "I made it clear to them that as role models it's important that they conduct themselves not only within the laws of cricket but also in keeping with the spirit of the game." 

This is clearly a case of double standards that sub-continent ex-players, commentators and even public are complaining about for several years. The above scenarios are near identical and they both are breach of code of conduct and they both deserve punishments. Concerned players were punished, however the punishments were different. There is very little or no hope on the hearing process and how ICC would handle a situation.