DLF Indian Premier League

The BCCI on Monday banned off-spinner Harbhajan Singh for 11 matches of the Indian Premier League. The decision was taken at a hearing by DLF Indian Premier league match referee Farokh Engineer.

Harbhajan Singh was accompanied by Lalchand Rajput and Harsha Bhogle whereas Yuvraj Singh and Maxwell came to support Sreesanth. The hearing started at 1PM IST and lasted for 1:30 hours. It took 1 hour after the hearing for the decesion to be made.

Kings XI Punjab termed Harbhajan’s behaviour as unacceptable and against the spirit of the game.

The match referee Farokh Engineer found conclusive evidence about Harbhajan’s guilt and Sreesanth’s innocence. While he banned Harbhajan for 11 IPL matches, no penalty was announced on S Sreesanth. He was let off with a mild warning. The match referee got video footage from 7 angles that proved beyond doubt that Harbhajan slapped Sreesanth without any provocation.

Harbhajan Singh, had carried a letter, which he presented before the commission. He also expressed regretted for his actions which hurt Sreesanth’s feelings.

Harbhajan Singh, now, wont be able to play in any league matches for IPL Mumbai team.  It has not been clarified whether the previous match when Bhajji was suspended is part of the 11 games. If it is , it means that technically Harbhajan is eligible to play the semi finals in the event of Mumbai Indians reaching the last 4.

BCCI President Sharad Pawar said that he had told the IPL Chairman if there was prima facie evidence of wrong-doing on the part of any player, the IPL should take immediate action against the player.