Harbhajan Deserves it: Ponting

Ponting has said that he does not feel sorry for Harbhajan. He said, what he is going through, he deserves it.

He has slapped a player with him he has played 20 test matches. Look at his behavior and everyone knows what he has done.

He said, he will not support Harbhajan and did not feel sorry that he was banned in IPL and also going through a tough time in BCCI inquiry.

He can be banned for life or 5 test matches. Nanavathi completed his inquiry today and is expected to submit his report on Monday, May 12, 2008

Harbhajan's hearing today!

The match referee Farooq Engineer will hear both sides of story today and take a decision on the incident. As the cricketing world knows, Harbhajan slapped Sreesanth after the match. Not knowing the reason why he did it, BCCI, based on the video footage provided by the offical broadcaster Sony, suspended Bhajjai for the Sunday match against Deccan Chargers.

Sreesanth cried uncontrollably after the match which was captured live by the televison channel broadcasting the match. Not knowing why he was crying, the entire crowd watching the match live in stadium and tv were stunned.

Later, the news channels flashd the news saying Sreesanth was slapped by Harbhajan.

We have to wait and see the decision to be taken by Farooq Engineer!

Harbhajan and Sree downplay the event fearing Punishment!

After the slapgate incident between Harbhajan and Sreesanth, match referee Farooq Engineer was asked to conduct the enquiry. Before that, both Harabhajan and Sreesanth downplayed the incident as if nothing had happened between them.

Sreesanth said:

Bhajji and him are like brothers; He is an elder brother and I have forgiven him;
He has the right to do what he did;
It was just a handshake in the wrong side
He need not apologize

Bhajji said:

He is like a brother;
He did not slap him;
They both will play together;
He spoke to Sreesanth after the match;
He is not sure about the complaint to be lodged by Kings XI Punjab!

After the scene and hype created by both the players and media, both of them were saying, everything is okay and nothing wrong happened. Looks like both of them fear about the action that would be taken against each of them. Something should have provoked Bhajji and hence both would be punished. Is that reason for going back on the statements?

Only official enquiry can reveal what has happened!

Hayden feels he could have used better words aginst Harbhajan!

Hayden regretted his remark against Harbhajan. He said, he could have used better words instead of "obnoxious little weed" remark aginst Harbhajan. He felt his remarks added "fuel to the fire" during the down under tour.

As the tour was already packed with lot of controversies, he felt he could have used better words. He claimd that this is first slip in the 15 years of cricket. He said, Harbhajan has expressed how he fells about Australian team and he wanted to sit with Bhajji during Austriali's tour to India and see how they both can improve the relationship. He reiterated that his remarks was not intended to disgrance him personally or the game, but he could have used better words.

His "obnoxious little weed" and Habhajan's remark of "liar" about Hayden would be one of the discussion points during Australia's tour to India. Hayden is clear that he wanted to discuss these with Bhajji, put an end to all of these issues and build better relationship.

Source: PTI

Harbhan in Trouble Again!

Even after the completing tour of Australia--famous for controversies, Australian players, board and media try to put pressure on Indian team especially Harbhajan. It was reported in the Australian media that Bhajji called Hayden a liar and mentioned that Gilchrist is not as good as everyone thinks in the on-field behavior.

Australian Board, Cricket Australia has written a letter to BCCI asking them to talk to Harbhajan and restrain him from creating new controversies / issues by talking about the completed tour of Australia. They wanted BCCI to handle this as they did it with Hayden.

BCCI has confirmed that they have received the letter and have asked Bhajji to not talk about the past issues! Bhajji has agreed for the same!