Mumbai: Mumbai Indians stand-in captain Harbhajan Singh has been temporarily suspended from the Indian Premier League (IPL) for allegedly slapping an opposition player.
Lalit Modi, chairman and commissioner of the IPL, announced the decision yesterday after video evidence was reviewed by the match adjudicator and referee Farokh Engineer.
If found guilty, Harbhajan could be banned for five one-day matches under ICC guidelines.
Inquiry launched
An inquiry into the incident, in which Harbhajan allegedly slapped Kings XI Punjab player S Sreesanth during their match on Friday, will now be held in New Delhi tomorrow.
The IPL had earlier asked the off-spinner to explain what had happened.
Harbhajan and Sreesanth are reported to have patched up their differences post match, but the Kings XI Punjab's management lodged a complaint.
"Harbhajan is like an elder brother to me. He apologised to me and it was sorted out," Sreesanth said.
For his part, Harbhajan denied slapping Sreesanth. "I didn't slap Sreesanth. The media is blowing the issue out of proportion," he said.
The 27-year-old off-spinner faced a three-Test ban on India's recent tour to Australia after a spat with Andrew Symonds. The ban was later lifted and Harbhajan was fined after the Indian management protested against the decision.
Do you think the BCCI should take disciplinary action against Harbhajan Singh? Should the board have kept Harbhajan and Sreesanth on a tighter leash? How do you think this will impact relationships in the national squad?
Your comments
The incident is most unfortunate and its create animosity between players but every one must remember that behaviour of Sreeshant in absolutely childish in this tournament and BCCI should take some tough decion on Sreeshant for his crazy behaviour.
Shafeek
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2008, 14:12
Youngsters tend to take sports person as their role models. It is only a game to be taken in its spirit. Those unruly players like Harbajan and Sreesanth should be banned for life. They are a shame for the country and the game.
Mohamed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2008, 11:59
I think Harbhajan should be banned from playing the rest of IPL matches. He has consistently been doing such acts over the past few months, first in Australia and now in India. Strict disciplinary action should be taken against him.
Sanjeev
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2008, 10:47
Harbhajan should definitely face the full brunt of a proper and just disciplinary enquiry. This fella is not able to distinguish between aggressive cricket and sheer stupidity. The way the Indian cricket team is shaping up, there is no doubt that they will not be an easy team to successfully confront in the next CWC. Harbhajan is someone who will cast an "evil shadow" on the entire team and its fan following worldwide. May BCCI wake up and show well deserved respect to players like Sreesanth.
Niraj
Sydney,Australia
Posted: April 27, 2008, 10:42
Harbhajan Singh Should join the ex-Indian cricketers who have been served a life ban from playing in any form of cricket. He dosen't deserve to play in this gentelman's game. He has reduced the cricket field to a wrestling bout. What would have been his fate if he tried the same act with some tough guys like Symonds, Yuvraj, Hyden? A virus like Harbhajan should be eradicted forever. Ban him for life with hefty monetary fine.
Sanjay
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2008, 10:36
BCCI should take stringent disciplinary action against any errant player, be it Harbhajan Singh or Sreesanth or any body. Being a governing body it has to ensure that nobody is above the law. Cricket is a gentleman's game and this sort of behaviour will certainly affect the game itself.
Satish
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2008, 10:36
I dont think such a harsh punishment is required for Bhaji, as the Indian media is out to kill his reputation. I always admire Harbhajan and he's is the only one person who can confront Aussies and others for their abuses. By now atleast Sreesant should grow up.
Sonu
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2008, 10:30
Harbhajan Singh should be slapped with a life ban for this action. It is we the people of India who are to be blamed for making such players big stars.
Vishal
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2008, 10:29
Harbajan should be banned for 10 matches. Sreeshant also needs to be warned for his over his provoking attitude towards every player. Everybody should understand criket is gentlemen's game.
Rajesh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2008, 10:23
Players like Harbajan and Sreeshanth does not deserve to be in the National squad. Its not only playing that matters but how they behave in the ground also matters. These guys are short tempered and are not fit to be international players It's not only a shame for Indian cricket but for the game 'Cricket' itself. ICC and BCCI should step in to take right and decisive action to stop such incidents ever happening again!
HMUNDOCK
Haris
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2008, 10:06
If Bhajji did this, it is not acceptable. I think Bhajji and Sreesanth both must be punished.
If you saw all last IPL matches, please look at Sreesanth's behaviour.
Santosh
Mumbai,India
Posted: April 27, 2008, 08:35
Harbhajan was like an injured lion and any provocatory approach is like adding salt to the wound which can invite unpleasant happenings. Since the matter has been mutually resolved between the parties, no further action is warranted. This will leave behind less bitterness. This happens to be the second such incident in recent times and carries no meaning. Forgiveness is the greatest virtue.
Paul
Toronto,Canada
Posted: April 27, 2008, 08:34
Yes, Harbhajan Singh should be fined as well suspended for couple of matches, meanwhile he should be courses on how to handle pressure, frustration, emotions etc.
Jithz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2008, 08:06
The incident goes to establish that not all Indian players are saints: in this case, the accused has proved that he is a rogue who the entire Indian fraternity has protected in the recent past. However, we must bear in mind that cricket in India is a money game
D.N. Mazumder
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2008, 08:03
On repeated incidents the person can't escape all the time. He should be banned for two years as a lesson for others.
Anil Kumar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2008, 07:49
He should be kicked out and should be slapped with a life ban. All these players represent our country and shows a country's image to the world.
Ramakrishnan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2008, 07:42
Yes, indeed if anyone does something wrong he must be punished. But first of all we must check if he has done anything wrong or was provoked to do so.
Preveen B
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2008, 07:29
These guys have reduced ths gentlemen's game to a game of wrestling. If a stand is not taken now by the IPL and the BCCI, then next you know he will even get away with murder.
LJM
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2008, 07:27
Everyone knows the attitude of Sreesanth in every match, he is trying to provoke players and that was really expected in this tournament as he argues with umpires, shows anger on umpire's decision and tries in every match to exchange words with players including his own national team mates. It is cricket if you want to prove yourself then prove with ball or bat not by mouth. BCCI either have to give final and strict warning to Sreesanth or even ban him.
Ali
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2008, 07:20
I beleive that Harbhajan should be slapped with a three month ban and should publicly apologise for his misconduct if proven to be guilty. It's high time that people realise that the game is bigger than the player and it's reputation should be protected.
Bijesh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2008, 07:00
Harbhajan has just proved that the Aussies were right. I was always criticising Aussies during India's visit to Australia and thought that Aussies were dragging Indian players into controversies. But no, Harbhajan has proved that he was always wrong while in Australia. Being an Indian I supported Indian team so much but now I think I am more inclined towards Australian team for their manners, their charisma and talent. Indians - Learn some attitude and manners first. Indian officials are resposible for this for encouraging and supporting all the misdeeds of Harbhajan while he was there. Now it has happened in the home field - which they have realised now.
VK
Melbourne,Australia
Posted: April 27, 2008, 05:44
Yes, definitely. He must be penalised (I was witness to this incident). Enough is enough, this kind of extreme behaviour should not be tolerated at this level of cricket, IPL and BCCI should take this incident seriously and award him maximum penalty and warn him not to cross his boundaries.
MPatel
Toronto,Canada
Posted: April 27, 2008, 05:44
After seeing Sreeshanth weeping on screen no excuse should be considered from Bhaji
Sushil
Centreville,USA
Posted: April 27, 2008, 05:39
Yes, I think BCCI should for 2 reasons
1. To ensure that the players conduct themselves fairly to the spirit of the game
2. To let the whole world know that BCCI is quite serious about such erratic behavior and would not tolerate it.
These guys have become the laughing stock of the entire cricketing fraternity and need to be told so.
Srikanth
Melbourne,Australia
Posted: April 27, 2008, 03:39
He must be baned for atleast 5 years to realise and change his attitude.
Saleem
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 27, 2008, 00:27
Such players should be banned for life. Cricket is a game, which teaches discipline, culture, dedication and teamwork. Such are the people who have brought a bad name to such a wonderful game, by match fixing, getting involved into wrong/unethical activities, and portraying such unacceptable behaviour.
Zahedy
Dubai,U.A.E
Posted: April 27, 2008, 00:12
