“That comment on the spirit was only meant for the Sydney game. I’ve respected Australian cricketers. I have great respect and regard for all the players who have played for Australia,” he said.

“It was just one of those incidents which everybody has seen, and if people think I had a biased opinion, there has been a poll and people who have seen the game have also said it could have been better.”

Kumble admitted that the last few days have been really tough on the Indian team, and for Harbhajan Singh, particularly, being in the centre of an unnecessary controversy. “It's been tough, very difficult, because it's a very serious issue. The entire team is together in this. The Board is backing us fully, we are all with Bhajji, it's not easy but he seems to be in a good mood.”

The Indian team has shown the mechanism for re-start after it seemed all muddled up, but Kumble isn't ready yet to commit on the new rules of the game.

“It's important that Ricky and I got together and spoke about it and then get together and address it,” he said, when asked if he would revoke the mutual agreement that has been the bone of contention here.