During a Test in South Africa, Match Referee Mike Denness accused Sachin Tendulkar of ball tampering and banned five other Indians (including Sehwag and Ganguly). The "crime"? Sachin was simply cleaning dirt off the seam.
India exploded in protest. Effigies were burnt, and Parliament discussed the insult. To Indians, calling Sachin a "cheater" wasn't just a bad decision-it was a racist, biased attack on the country’s dignity.
BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya demanded the ICC remove Denness. When the ICC refused, Dalmiya pulled a "power move" and told South Africa: "Either Denness goes, or the tour ends now."
Fearing a financial disaster, South Africa chose the BCCI over the ICC. They barred Mike Denness from entering the stadium, and the teams played a "Rebel Test" match without an ICC-appointed referee.
The ICC was so powerless they had to declare the match "Unofficial." They eventually had to back down, clearing Sachin’s name of "tampering" and refusing to renew Mike Denness’s contract.
This wasn't just about a ban; it was the day the BCCI became the boss. By using India’s financial power to defy the ICC, they proved that no one could disrespect Indian cricket and get away with it.