Zeenews Bureau
Mumbai, May 07: In a shocking revelation that came out of the video of Harbhajan-Sreesanth slap row, it was made clear that the spinner wanted to slap Sreesanth once again and had to be restrained by security guards at the venue. The move prompted Sreesanth to raise his hands but he was bunged up by Mohali Team’s players before the incident took on an ugly turn. All this while, Lalchand Rajput was laughing instead of stopping such unacceptable behaviour.
Harbhajan Singh might be in for a 10 match ban from international cricket by the BCCI as well, sources reported here on Wednesday. It is learnt that BCCI wants to make an example out of the Harbhajan-Sreesanth slap row and the punishment will serve as a deterrent for other players from doing something similar in the future.
It was also learnt that the umpire’s report did not have any mention of Sreesanth provoking the tweaker for slapping him. The slap seemed pre-meditated and Harbhajan might also be meted out a fine of 10-20% of his annual contract with the board.
Earlier on Tuesday, BCCI-appointed Commissioner Sudhir Nanavati, inquiring into the slapping row after an IPL match, saw the footage of the incident and found the video shocking. He will submit his report on Friday to the apex body of cricket in India. He told reporters, “IPL-BCCI have different guidelines, Harbhajan will be tried on both, that is the rule of the land.”
Harbhajan Singh was banned from playing 11 Indian Premier League matches and 100% of his match fees. Mumbai Indians coach Lalchand Rajput too was found guilty of Level 2 charge and consequently docked 50% of his match fees. Rajput was found guilty of ‘not defusing’ the situation as he was standing just behind Harbhajan when the incident occurred.
The judgment came after he had pleaded guilty for slapping Sreesanth, before an IPL disciplinary hearing conducted by match referee Farokh Engineer here. Harbhajan, had carried a letter, which he presented before the commission. He also expressed regret for his actions which hurt Sreesanth’s feelings.
The temperamental off spinner had already admitted to the media persons of getting physical with Sreesanth. Slapping a fellow player constitutes a Level 4 offence as per the ICC Code of Conduct and carries a maximum punishment of a life ban or a minimum of five Tests or 10 ODIs for India’s premier off-spinner.
"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. "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.
First Published: Wednesday, May 07, 2008, 00:00