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Gambhir was suspended by International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Chris Broad on Friday for elbowing Shane Watson while taking a run on the opening day of the third Test in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Australia all-rounder Watson was fined for provoking the batsman, the incident bringing to a head a series of verbal clashes forcing the umpires to intervene.
Gambhir was also fined for barging into Shahid Afridi in an ODI against Pakistan last November.
The BCCI has lodged an appeal against his latest ban, which would allow the 27-year-old to play in the fourth and final Test.
This series started in the shadow of India's tour to Australia in January when spinner Harbhajan Singh was at the centre of another storm.
India then overstepped the line again when paceman Zaheer Khan was fined 80 per cent of his fee in the second-Test win in Mohali for a verbal send-off of opener Matthew Hayden after the Australia opener had been dismissed.
Players from both sides made good-behaviour pledges before the series but have since shown scant regard to Broad.
Some pundits say the Indians are adopting a tit-for-tat approach against Australia, who have long been accused of gamesmanship by sledging rival players.
"It is a sign of self-belief," former India captain Ravi Shastri said. "Give back as good as you get but make sure you don't cross the line and look stupid.”
"It is India who have played well against Australia in the last three or four years."
PIETERSEN PRAISE
Shastri said England skipper Kevin Pietersen had shown the best way to tackle Australia was to stand up to them.
"Kevin has shown he is capable of backing his words by taking that extra pressure upon himself and performing," he said.
Shastri backed Gambhir's ban and warned players against violating the spirit of the game but also said the Indian verbal response was having its effect on Australia, who trail 1-0 in the series.
In the controversial Sydney Test in January, Harbhajan was initially banned after being found guilty of racially abusing Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds.
India threatened to pull out of the tour if the ban was upheld and he was eventually let-off with a fine after the charge was downgraded to use of abusive language.
The attitude of the Indian players has changed markedly since they won the Twenty20 World Cup in 2007, beating Australia on their way.
During this series Zaheer, Laxman and Mahendra Singh Dhoni have dubbed Ricky Ponting's side too defensive.
Some pundits say India's young, self-confident players are more aggressive but that the captains should help ease the tension and ensure the focus of attention is firmly on the playing of the game rather than side issues.
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Welldone Ghambhir.... In last test give them a big Elbow.. that will be last test. They cant ban you for that match....keep it up dear... break 2-3 bones....
Shut up you psycho bitch if this is how you think in real life you should be locked up.
Your name and language it seems that you are in need of some serious medical attention.I am ready to lend you a dime. take care
Aussies still make snide comments on the threat India gave to walk out when in sydney. This is what they want that they can keep sledging while the non white teams keep taking it . Well you have to patiently take the shit they throw on you as you are a condemned lot and inferior due to your skin colour.Are we still living in the 16th century or we have moved with times. Well , some haven't such as the ICC chris board and can see some of traits in umpire billy . I AGREE WITH SHASTRI AND MOST INDIANS WILL, GIVE THEM TIT FOR TAT , STAND UP TO THEM AS THAT IS THE WAY TO TACKLE A BULLY AND KEEP YOUR BACKS TO THE CAMERA WHEN ABUSING AS THE AUSSIES HAVE BEEN DOING IT ALL THE TIME.GAMBHIR WE ARE PROUD OF YOU AND GOOD ON YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE
Can someone tell Shastri to keep his mouth shut? He is not being abused on the field and Indian palyers have to stand-up to Australian bullying and teach them lessons from now. Respect is earned, not pushed upon. Well Done Gambhir, the entire nation is backing you. Be brave and stay courageous!!
'India then overstepped the line again...'!!! says who?? Who has written this story, who has edited the words used here? Reuters is the news agency name seen at the top, and this story confirms the bias that these international agencies (Reuters, AP) have against Indian cricketers. Similar example of biased use of words abounded during the Australia tour of India, and the same is being repeated now. Why did the learned writer who wrote this piece not discuss that Watson should have been banned too, or at least fined more heavily for provocating Gambhir? Was Watson's action in the spirit of the game? In Gambhir's previous run-in with Shahid Afridi, Afridi was apparently fined 100% of his match fees. Why was Watson allowed to go virtually scot free this time? Just because he is a white player?? Chris Broad showed his bias against India players in the previous match too, by over-reacting on Zaheer Khan's gesture to Hayden. He did it again with Gambhir...is there no check on the referees?
Team Management also needs to demonstrate that they do not back such stupid sledging and any sledging whcih needs support from Team Management and BCCI, should be rewarded with sending players for fishing. For other sledgers, who never get caught but make sure have impact on teh opposition players, there should be a Man of sledging match award.
Well done Gambhir - next time punch him on his face.GOOD ON YOU MY BOY.