The Indian board banned off-spinner Harbhajan Singh for five one-day internationals on Wednesday for a slapping incident involving Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, his Indian team-mate.A three-man BCCI disciplinary committee panel which met in Mumbai today afternoon comprised of BCCI President,Sharad Pawar, Mr.Shashank Manohar and BCCI vice-president Chirayu Amin took the decision based on the report submitted by board-appointed Commissioner Sudhir Nanavati.
The disciplinary committee, which met on Wednesday, had decided to invoke Rule 3.2.1 of the BCCI regulations wherein the maximum punishment is 'a ban up to a maximum of five ODIs and/or three test matches'.
The ban means Harbhajan will miss the tri-nation series in Bangladesh also involving Pakistan as well as the first two matches of the Asia Cup tournament that will be held in Pakistan.On April 28, Harbhajan was banned for the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season after being found guilty of slapping by the match referee.The punishment that has meant the off-spinner has nearly lost Rs 3 crore of his match fee.
"This is the last chance for Harbhajan. Any more acts of indiscipline would result in a life ban," BCCI President Mr.Pawar told. So, Harbhajan, surely, gets a big rap on his nuckles, which will be a big lesson for players like Sreesanth.
