New Delhi, Apr 28 (ANI): The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Monday imposed an 11-match Indian Premier League (IPL) ban on Mumbai Indian player Harbhajan Singh after he admitted to slapping pacer Sreesanth of the Kings XI Punjab following their match on April 25.
Sreesanth was reprimanded for allegedly provoking the off-spinner and warned about his behaviour.
The judgment came after Bhajji had pleaded guilty, before an IPL disciplinary hearing conducted by match referee Farokh Engineer.
Earlier in the day, the BCCI had appointed advocate Sudhir Nanavati as commissioner to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the Harbhajan Singh-Sreesanth slap row.
"As per the Constitution, BCCI has appointed Sudhir Nanavati, advocate, Ahmedabad as commissioner to make preliminary inquiry and call for explanation from the concerned person(s) and submit his report within 15 days to BCCI president Sharad Pawar to look into the matter of disciplinary action against Harbhajan Singh," the cricket board said a statement issued this morning.
A relieved Harbhajan Singh said on Monday that he would come back a better person after being slapped with a 11-match IPL ban, adding that what he had done on April 25 during a match between his Mumbai Indians and the Kings XI Punjab was grossly wrong.
"All I want to say is whatever happened and whatever I did was grossly wrong. 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 has always treated me like its child and I hope they will continue to support me. When I come back to play again, I will bring smiles to your faces," he promised.
It maybe recalled that Harbhajan thrashed Sreesanth after the match, which the Mumbai Indians had lost. Sreesanth, who was charged with provocation throughout the match, was let off with a stern reprimand.
After the press conference, former Indian wicketkeeper Faroukh Engineer, who presided over the hearing, got Harbhajan and Sreesanth to shake hands and hug each other.
"We are all human beings and mistakes do happen," Engineer said.
Engineer said that a 'very very fair' hearing was given to both parties.
"No track record has been taken into account because what actually happened is lot more serious than you guys think," he said.
He had good words for both Harbhajan and Sreesanth. He revealed that Sreesanth, who is such 'a lovely boy', remained quiet most of the time during the hearing.
About Harbhajan Singh, the former Test wicketkeeper said that in his view, he is the greatest off-spinner India has produced.
"But he stepped out of the line and paid the penalty", he said.
Bhajji's ban could not have come at a worse time for Mumbai Indians. 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's franchise, if they hope for a reversal in fortunes. (ANI)
