‘Turbanator’ terminated for 11 IPL matches

S Sreesanth, who was at the receiving end of Harbhajan Singh’s behaviour at the end of an IPL match in Mohali on Friday night, was also warned that his aggression on the field in future would be taken seriously.

“After looking into the video footage in the presence of Sreesanth, complainant Neil Maxwell (Kings XI Punjab CEO), Harbhajan and Lalchand Rajput, (Mumbai Indians coach), and managers of both sides and considering the submissions from both sides and in view of Harbhajan’s admission Match Referee Farokh Engineer found him guilty of level 4.2 offence,” IPL Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi said at a press conference at the conclusion of a two-hour hearing.

“Accordingly, Harbhajan Singh has been banned for the rest of the IPL matches besides 100 per cent fine on his match fees,” said Modi in the presence of Engineer, Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth.

Under ICC code of conduct, level 4.2 offence relates to physically assaulting a fellow player, match official or spectators, the penalty for which ranges from a ban for a minimum of 5 Test matches or 10 one-day internationals and a maximum of life ban.

Modi said the code of conduct applied to both the players and officials. The match referee Engineer warned Sreesanth on his behaviour in the Mohali match and the previous matches.

“He was told that in future his on-field aggression would be taken seriously,” Modi said.

About Rajput, the IPL Commissioner said Rajput was found guilty of level 2 offence that pertained to acting against the spirit of the game. He was behind Harbhajan and he did not try to rein in the bowler.

The video footage of the incident showed Harbhajan shaking hands with Punjab players. Sreesanth was third in the line but instead of shaking hands, Harbhajan actually slapped him. Rajput was following Harbhajan down the line but he went on shaking hands with other players, Modi said.

Harbhajan replies to BCCI show-cause notice

Harbhajan Singh has replied to the Cricket Board’s show cause notice issued to him.

“He has given his reply, but I cannot reveal its contents,” said BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah from Rajkot.

The temperamental bowler, who captained Mumbai Indians in their first three matches in the ongoing Twenty20 League, was asked by the BCCI for explanation for slapping Sreesanth after the IPL match against King’s XI Punjab at Mohali on April 25.

Harbhajan, a BCCI-contracted player, was slapped with the show cause on April 26 and suspended for the fourth tie of his team against Deccan Chargers on Sunday and given time till Monday to send his reply.

BCCI, under whose jurisdiction IPL is being held, has already appointed Sudhir Nanavati of the Gujarat Cricket Association as the Commissioner to inquire into the matter and his findings are to be put before its disciplinary committee headed by president Sharad Pawar for deciding the further course of action.