Harbhajan banned for five ODIs

The BCCI on Wednesday banned spinner Harbhajan Singh for five One-Day Internationals following his slapping row with India teammate S Sreesanth.

Harbhajan appeared before the BCCI's three-member Disciplinary Panel comprising President Sharad Pawar, Shashank Manohar, the president in waiting, and vice-president Chirayu Amin who arrived at their verdict after looking into the report prepared by Appeals Commissioner Sudhir Nanavati.

The 27-year-old, playing for Mumbai in the IPL, was charged with a Level 4 offence after his run-in with Sreesanth who was turning out for Mohali on April 25.

"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 five ODIs and/or three Test matches," BCCI President Sharad Pawar told reporters here.

The ban will see Habhajan, India's third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, miss the tri-series in Bangladesh featuring the hosts and Pakistan, as well as two matches of the Asia Cup that follows.

The BCCI President explained the BCCI had acted as per the rules, but maintained that another act of indiscipline could cost Harbhajan dear.

"The BCCI has also observed that any further instance of indiscipline will invoke a life ban for Harbhajan," Pawar added.

The BCCI had been divided over deciding the punishment for Harbhajan, especially after he was shown the door from the Indian Premier League with a ban of 11 games.

However, it was on the insistence of the board President that the off-spinner was assured of a slap on the wrists. It is learnt that Pawar was miffed after the BCCI backed Harbhajan throughout the racism row during India's Test series in Australia in January.

"The BCCI arrived at its decision after having a careful look at the inquiry carried out by Commissioner Nanavati, and the report prepared by him. It was only after considering everything that the board decided to ban Harbhajan," board secretary Niranjan Shah told CNN-IBN on Wednesday.

He also said that Harbhajan had accepted the decision. "He is okay. He knows he was guilty," Shah added.

The BCCI, however, chose to let Sreesanth go but with a warning. "The Disciplinary Committee also discussed about Sreesanth. He has to improve his conduct on the field."