Match referee Jeff Crowe is reported to be investigating claims Harbhajan made monkey gestures and spat towards sections of the crowd in Sydney during the first match of the CB Series final against the Aussies on Sunday.

However, India manager Bimal Soni told BBC Sport: "He did nothing. These stories, I do not believe them and strongly condemn them. I think it is wrong."

Former Australia skipper Allan Border is on Harbhajan's side, and said: "I'm not too sure how serious it is.

"I was on that side of the ground and Harbhajan was copping a fair bit of stick from the crowd.

"I didn't notice any gestures at all and I thought he handled himself quite well to be honest."

Harbhajan was banned for three matches after he was found guilty of racially abusing Andrew Symonds, but the suspension was subsequently overturned on appeal.