Gambhir likely to play fourth Test at Nagpur

Gautam Gambhir may still play the fourth and final Test in Nagpur after the International Cricket Council on Friday said that pending hearing into the opener's appeal against the one-Test ban, he could continue playing under Code of Conduct regulations.

Meanwhile, the ICC also confirmed having received an appeal from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) against the one-Test ban imposed on Gautam Gambhir for breaching the ICC's code of conduct during the ongoing third Test against Australia in New Delhi.

The ICC said in a statement that its Legal Counsel will appoint a Code of Conduct Commissioner within 48 hours and that the appeal will be heard within seven days of the Commissioner's appointment.

The final Test against Australia starts in Nagpur from November 6 and if a decision doesn't arrive by then, Gambhir would be eligible to play in that match.

The India opener pleaded guilty to the charge levied against him for elbowing Australian bowler Shane Watson while attempting a run on the first day of the third Test at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground and was handed a one-Test ban by match referee Chris Broad.

However, if the left-hander fails to overturn the match referee's verdict, he will have to bear the cost of the appeal.

all courtesy:cricketnext