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This is an archive article published on April 26, 2008

Bhajji slaps Sreesanth, both downplay the incident

Harbhajan allegedly slapped Sreesanth after the match in Mohali but both later said 'its all sorted out'.

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Mumbai Indian stand-in captain Harbhajan Singh downplayed the controversy regarding him allegedly slapping S Sreesanth to bring the Kings XI Punjab pacer to tears, saying the issue 8220;had been sorted out8221;.

Harbhajan allegedly hit Sreesanth after the Punjab team won against Mumbai Indians in their Indian Premier League encounter late last night but apologised to the paceman in the dressing room of the home team.

8220;A lot of things happen in a family. We are part of one family. I think a lot of things which are coming out in the media, whatever have happened we have sorted out all, everything is fine now,8221; Harbhajan said before leaving for Mumbai with his team this morning.

Sreesanth, on his part, also said everything was 8220;normal8221; between him and Harbhajan. 8220;Everything is normal, there is nothing between us,8221; he said.

Earlier, Indian cricket8217;s bad boy Harbhajan Singh found himself embroiled in yet another controversy after allegedly slapping Kings XI paceman S Sreesanth during their Indian Premier League encounter at Mohali on Friday.

The Kings XI team, led by Yuvraj Singh, is reportedly planning to lodge a complaint against the off-spinner.

BCCI Vice president Rajiv Shukla said the Board would wait for the report from the team management before deciding on the future course of action.

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The paceman was seen crying bitterly on the ground at the end of the IPL match, which his team won by 66 runs. While Harbhajan kept mum on the issue during the post match conference, Sreesanth tried to play down the incident.

8220;It is normal. Nothing serious happened. It is all in the game. I am fine. We will still be part of the national team,8221; Sreesanth said before leaving from the stadium.

As Sreesanth came to board the bus to return to the team hotel, waiting media mobbed him to listen to his version. Harbhajan though did not speak on the issue. 8220;Can we have questions on just cricket,8221; Harbhajan said when asked about what happened between him and Sreesanth.

Mumbai Indians coach Lalchand Rajput also requested media to restrict their questions to just cricket.

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The winning captain Yuvraj Singh though was upset by the unsavoury incident and termed it 8220;ugly8221;. 8220;This is really an ugly incident. You do not want to see such things off the field specially after such a win. I am pretty upset at what has happened. This is totally unacceptable,8221; he said apparently criticising Harbhajan Singh.

Yuvraj though said he did not know what actually transpired between the two. 8220;I do not know what exactly happened but one does not want to see such things happening.8221;

Kings XI coach Tom Moody was also visibly upset by the incident and termed as 8220;unacceptable8221; Harbhajan8217;s behaviour.

8220;At the end of the day, players shake hands. But today saw more that from Harbhajan and Sreesanth. It is unacceptable behaviour and I am sure officials will take of note. 8220;The positive thing is that Harbhajan had a long chat with Sreesanth. But I am not sure what ramifications this incident will have,8221; Moody said.

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Upset after his team8217;s third successive defeat, the turbanator also looked unhappy with his teammates. 8220;When you lose nothing seems to be okay. I won8217;t bowl and bat for other people. They have to be captain of their own bowling and own bowling. I can not do other8217;s job,8221; he said angrily when asked if captaincy was tough.

8220;I don8217;t like losing. When you lose, you don8217;t feel happy.8221;

 

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