Bhajji Banned for 5 ODIs

In the slapgate incident involving Harabhajan and Sreesanth, the BCCI disciplinary committee today handed down a 5 ODI ban on Harbhajan Singh. He has accepted that he is guilty and was punished.

Sudhir Nanavathi submitted his report after he was appointed as the enquiry officer for investigating this incident.

He met both the players involved--Harbhajan and Sreesanth and few other players also before preparing his report.

He submitted a 14-page report to the board, but did not include his recommendation on the punishment. He said the disciplinary committee would go through the report and take a decision on the punishment.

What would it mean for Harbhajan? He has to sit out of the tri-series in Bangladesh between June 8 and 14 and then two of the Asia Cup matches scheduled in June and July this year.

"The Committee accordingly decided to ban Harbhajan Singh for five one-day internationals, starting today and further observed that any further instance of misconduct will invoke a life-ban," the BCCI said in a statement after the committee's hearing.

"The Committee invoked Rule 3.2.1 of the BCCI Regulations for Players, Team officials, Managers, Umpires and Administrators. Under this provision, the maximum punishment that can be meted out to a player is a ban up to a maximum of 5 ODIs and / or 3 Test matches," Pawar told reporters. He also said that a copy of the report was given to Harbhajan.

"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.

As far as I am concerned, I think Sreesanth was let off with a mild warning. He shoud have been banned at least for an ODI. Look at the below pictures to see for yourself on his agression. Is he fighting a war in the border against terrorists?



As far as Harbhajan is concerned, I think it is sort of okay because this five match ban carries a severe warning and could end up as life ban if he misbehaves one more time.



I think all the cricketers should behave themselves as they are representing their country and are brand ambassadors for both the sports and their country. They are role model for so many youngsters and also sports and cricketing fans around the world. Is this how they behave?



This is a general question to all cricketers. What are you guys doing after taking a wicket, especially if you take it after long time or if you take it after hit for a four or a six? You show agression agains the batsman, a fellow cricketer, pump in the air, show route to pavilion, etc.



Are you playing cricket or are you fighting war against the terrorirsts? You probably should go to the border or to the war and show this. Guys, either behave properly...after all you have just taken a wicket... and did not kill a terrorist in the war field..or do not play the sport...any sport!

Other Stories:

Harbhajan to get Fair Trial!!

Mumbai Played Without Harbhajan!

Harbhajan's Hearing Today!

Harbhajan and Sreesanth Downplay the Event!

Harbhajan Suspended Until Hearing!

Bhajji Slapped Sreesanth!

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

Sudhir Nanavathy Completes Enquiry!

Sudhir Nanavathy completed his enquiry into the slapgate incident involving Harbhajan and Sreesanth. He met both the players and collected all the information required.

Sreesanth was slapped by Harbhajan after the match between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab in Mohali, in which Kings XI beat Mumba Indians.

Sreesanth was crying in the ground caught by TV cameras and later found that he was slapped by Bhajji and hence was crying.

Farooq Engineer, the match referee found Bhajji guilty, in fact, he pleaded guilty and was banned for 11 IPL matches and fined 100% of his match fees.

BCCI appointed Sudhir Nanavathy to do a complete enquiry and submit a report. He met both the players and also saw the video clipping from the offcial broadcaster.

The investigation is over and now I don't need to talk to any player or official in this case," Nanavati said after meeting both the players on Friday. "I'm satisfied with the answers of both Sreesanth and Harbhajan. I've all the evidence that I need to prepare the report.

"I talked to Harbhajan for one hour and 15 minutes and 30 minutes with Sreesanth. They were quite friendly during the hearing."

An Ahmedabad-based lawyer, Nanavati is also vice-president of the Gujarat Cricket Association and chairman of the BCCI's finance committee.

He is expected to submit his report on Monday, May 12, 2008.

Sudhir Nanavathi Sees Video Clipping!

Sudhir Nanavathy, appointed by BCCI for doing a complete enquiry into the slagate incident involving Harbhajan and Sreesanth.

In the match played betwen Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians in Mohali on April 25, Kings XI beat Mumbai Indians. After the victory, TV cameras captured live pictures of Sreesanth crying in the ground. The preliminary inquiry revealed that he was slapped by Harbhajan.

Though Harbhajan and Sreesanth denied the slapping and downplayed the event, the IPL took the issue seriously and asked match referee Farooq Engineer to do an investigation and submit findings. Before the investigation, both of them said, they are like brothers, and in fact Sreesanth said, "he has the right to do what he did." What a comment?

It was said that the incident was officially reported by Kings XI Punjab.

Before the investigation, Bhajji sent a letter to BCCI explaining that he is guilty and wanted to be pardoned.

During the investigation by match referee Farooq Engineer, he pleaded guilty of slapping Sreesanth. This made his job easy and submitted the report to the chairman and chief officer of IPL, Lalit Modi.

Lalit Modi slapped a 11-match ban in IPL and also fined him 100% of his match fee. This meant, he cannot play in the IPL anymore for this season and has to lose 3-crores of his contract money that he would have otherwise earned.

Since IPL is part of the BCCI, Sudhir Nanavathi was appointed by BCCI to do a complete inquiry and if he is found guilty, he could face a life ban or 5 test matches ban or a 11 one day ban.

Sudhir Nanavathi saw the TV footage and said that he was surprised and shocked to see the incident. There was no provacation captured in the video. Next is the meeting with both the players and if required interviewing few players.