Harbhajan Singh Banned for 5 ODI's

The Indian cricket board has banned off-spinner Harbhajan Singh for five one-day internationals for slapping Sreesanth during an IPL match in Mohali.Speaking to ITGO, the Chief Administrative Officer, Ratnakar Shetty confirmed the decision. "He will not be able to play five one-day internationals." "We have also told him that if he does anything like this again, he may be banned for life."The disciplinary committee of the BCCI, led by its president Sharad Pawar, have found Bhajji guilty under the 3.1 level offence.

Under this provision, the maximum punishment that can be handed out to a player is either a five one-day international ban or a three Test match ban.This decision follows a day after the board-appointed Commissioner Sudhir Nanavati submitted a 14-page report on this issue to the board.Pawar and other members of the committee, president-elect Shashank Manohar and vice-president Chirayu Amin, met at the Cricket Centre to discuss Nanavati's report on the issue.Sharad Pawar said a copy of the report was given to Harbhajan Singh, who was heard by the committee before taking a final decision on the quantum of punishment.

Speaking about the ban imposed on Bhajji, former Indian cricket team member, Chetan Chauhan, told ITGO that this punishment was expected. "But Harbhajan has the right to appeal."Chauhan added, "The ban slapped on Harbhajan is harsh as he has already been punished by IPL for the whole tournament (11 matches) and has also been fined his IPL fees."Earlier, the player had apologised and admitted his guilt in this matter. He pleaded for leniency and assured the committee of a well-behaved conduct in the future.

"The player admitted his guilt in the concerned matter. He prayed for leniency and assured the committee that there would not be any misconduct on his part in the future," the board said.This ban means that Harbhajan will have to miss the tour of Bangladesh and two matches of Asia Cup in Pakistan. Sreesanth was also warned by the cricket board and asked to mend his ways on the field. "The disciplinary committee also considered Sreesanth.

He has to improve a lot and if he is does something similar in future, he will be dealt with firm hand," board secretary Niranjan Shah said.Mumbai Indians' stand-in skipper Harbhajan slapped Kings XI Punjab pacer Sreesanth after the April 25 IPL match in Mohali, which saw the off-spinner being banned from the remainder of the IPL, apart from losing nearly Rs 3 crore of match fee.