India: Banned Harbhajan given stern warning

Thursday May 15, 2008
MUMBAI - Harbhajan Singh has been warned any future misconduct could spell the end of his international career after being banned for five one-day internationals by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

The 27-year-old had previously been banned from competing in the rest of the Indian Premier League tournament after the slapping incident with Sreesanth, which occurred after the Mumbai Indians' defeat to the Kings XI Punjab last month.

Harbhajan will now miss the tri-series in Bangladesh - also involving Pakistan - and the subsequent two matches in the Asia Cup.

BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah believes the controversial off-spinner will learn from his latest mistakes.

He told Times Now: "We believe he has learned a lesson and will improve himself.

"The BCCI has sent a clear message that no misconduct will be tolerated.

"This is BCCI's internal matter. But we have complied with all the rules laid down by the ICC pertaining to players' conduct."

After being banned from the rest of the inaugural IPL tournament - and therefore missing out on roughly #375,000 of his #450,000 contract - Harbhajan became the subject of a separate BCCI inquiry led by commissioner Sudhir Nanavati.

Nanavati submitted his findings to the board, prompting chairman Sharad Pawar to confirm the additional punishment on Wednesday.

Pawar, who headed the three-member disciplinary panel, announced in Mumbai: "The BCCI have met today. Harbhajan Singh was also invited for the meeting.

"We gave him the opportunity to speak. The copy of the report of Justice Nanavati, who filed a report on our behalf, was also shown to him.

"He pleaded guilty to all charges and accepted it.

"The committee thus came to the conclusion under the BCCI code of conduct, item number 3.251, the maximum punishment for this offence was a ban for five ODIs or three Tests. So we decided to ban him for five ODIs.

"The BCCI have also told him and any further misconduct on his part would invite a life ban."

The panel also issued a stern warning to Sreesanth.

The incident is the latest in a long line of recent controversies surrounding Harbhajan.

The off-spinner was found guilty - and subsequently cleared on appeal - of making a racist comment to Andrew Symonds during the second Test between Australia and India earlier this year.

He had been accused of racially abusing Symonds by International Cricket Council referee Mike Procter after allegedly directing a "monkey" insult at the mixed-race all-rounder during the second Test of the four-match series at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

His three-Test ban was overturned after he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of abusive language. He was instead fined 50% of his match fee.

On his return to India, Harbhajan launched a verbal attack in the national press towards Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist.

He later made an attempt to make peace with the Australian pair, saying: "I am more than happy to be friends with everyone. What happens on the field should be left on the field."


Have your say on 360 Forums