New Delhi, Feb 27: The BCCI today said the verbal duel between Indian and Australian cricketers has the potential to damage the "healthy" relationship shared by the two boards.

"We should think of the healthy relationship that exists between the two boards. We are happy that Cricket Australia immediately acted in this case of (Matthew) Hayden," BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said.

He said the Board had earlier written to their Australian counterpart to reign in the "provocative behaviour" of their players even before the Hayden diatribe.

"We had written to CA even before Hayden spoke on the (Brisbane) radio. We have brought to the notice of the CA that they need to talk to their players because the way the Indians are being provoked is not good," he said.

Shetty also defended Harbhajan for speaking to the media after the Hayden remark.

"He has not retorted. He has just responded to a question from the media and I think he has not said anything which is disrespectful and deragatory.

"It is a natural reaction of a person who was humiliated by the remark from Hayden," Shetty said. (Agencies)