New Delhi: The Australian High Commission (HC) has denied allegations that the Oz contingent damaged property and involved in vandalism at the Commonwealth Games (CWG) Village after the end of the closing ceremony on Thursday night.

“There were indeed some spirited celebrations involving the Australian team and a number of other teams at the athlete’s village, the athletes were enjoying their stay in Delhi and celebrating their achievements in the Commonwealth Games,” said the Australian Commission in a statement on Friday .

Media reports said the Australian contingent behaved in such a manner in response to the white-wash that their cricket side received in the hands of India at the recently-concluded Test series.

The Australians allegedly abused Sachin Tendulkar while they carrying out a rampage at the Games Village on Thursday night as the Indian cricket icon played a crucial role in defeating the Australian side in the two match Test series, reports said.

However, clearing the air, the Commission said that Australians 'highly respect' Sachin Tendulkar and the athletes had ‘wonderful experiences’ in India and they were ‘grateful’ to the ‘welcoming hand’ that Indians had offered to them.

“The suggestion that this was a reaction to Australia’s loss in the second test is completely baseless. The Australian team’s celebration had nothing to do with the cricket, or India, or Sachin Tendulkar,” the Australian Commission replied in response to these allegations.

"In fact, Sachin Tendulkar enjoys enormous respect and affection in Australia. He won the second test for India,” the Commission added.

The Australian Commission confirmed the fact that a washing machine was damaged last night as was alleged to have been destroyed by the Australian athletes, but mentioned that it was not clear who damaged it and whether it was an ‘accident’ or deliberately done.

“We can confirm that in the course of those celebrations a washing machine was damaged, though it remains unclear who did the damage, what their nationality was, and whether it was deliberate or accidental,” the Commission said.

Media reports said the entire situation became quite tense and even Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna had to involve himself in the issue and mentioned the entire incident as a ‘minor issue’ in order to pacify the entire situation. 

This year, Australia topped the CWG list with 74 gold, 55 silver, 48 bronze and a total of 177 medals.