Harbhajan's slap proves dear as IPL serves him 11-match ban

• IBTimes RSS
• Print
• E-Mail
• digg
• Del.icio.us

However, Modi sees the incident in a positive light. "It is not just any other tournament, it is a very serious tournament. There is a positive side to the incident because the players have taken this game as their own and they are actually fighting out for it as if they would have fought for team India, that's the positive side of it," he said.

The BCCI has also initiated an independent inquiry and has appointed Sudhir Nanavati to head up a preliminary inquiry into the incident between the two national team players.

"Nanavati will make a preliminary inquiry and call for explanation from the concerned persons and submit his report within 15 days to the president of the board Sharad Pawar," Shah said. "On receipt of the report, the president will refer the same to the disciplinary committee."

Under the International Cricket Council's (ICC) code of conduct, Harbhajan could be banned for life for assaulting another player.

IPL has also taken strict action against Mumbai Indians' coach Lalchand Rajput. "Rajput was right behind Harbhajan when the incident took place. He could have stopped the incident from happening. He didn't take any step to restrain him. He has been fined 50 percent of his match fee," said Modi.

Following the hearing, Sreesanth said, "Whatever has happened, has happened. What hurt me was the unacceptable behavior. Anyway, I have forgiven," seemingly putting the matter behind him.

Meanwhile, an apologetic Harbhajan has owned up for his action. "All I want to say is whatever happened and whatever I did was grossly wrong. I am very apologetic about the whole incident. It was a big mistake. Sreesanth is like my brother. We have played together and we will play together again," he said.

"I got punishment for whatever I did but the board (BCCI) has always treated me like its child and I hope they will continue to support me. I want to return from the ban in a happy frame of mind. When I come back to play again, I will bring smiles to your faces," he promised.

Perhaps, but "Bhajji" has now left his Mumbai Indians teammates in the lurch as his ban could not have come at a worse time. With their captain Sachin Tendulkar already out of action, and now Harbhajan, the stand-in Mumbai Indians skipper sidelined, it would indeed take a miracle for Mukesh Ambani, who bid a whopping $111.9 million for the team's franchise rights for 10 years's franchise, to keep his team, which has lost its three matches on a trot, out of trouble.

ABOUT INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE (IPL)

• 1
• 2
• 3