Ricky Ponting - Reuters

NEW DELHI, India (Reuters):

India's cricket chief Sharad Pawar yesterday drew a line under the Champions Trophy podium controversy after accepting Australian skipper Ricky Ponting's telephone apology overnight.

"Yes he called me (and apologised)," the federal minister and BCCI president told Reuters. "I don't want to say anything more on this."

The Australians had been criticised by both Indian media and former and current cricketers after private television channels repeatedly showed in slow motion Ponting gesture to chief guest Pawar to hand over the trophy last Sunday and batsman Damien Martyn push Pawar to make room for the players to celebrate and pose for pictures.

Pawar initially played down the incident calling it a "small thing", but was later quoted in the Australian media as describing Ponting's and Martyn's behaviour as "uncivilised".

World champions Australia won their maiden Champions Trophy, defeating holders West Indies in the final.

On his return to Australia, Ponting said his team had never intended to offend Pawar and would clear up any misunderstanding and offer an apology.