Five match ban for Harbhajan

India spinner to miss one-dayers

Last updated: 14th May 2008

harbhajan singh

Harbhajan: Walking tightrope

Harbhajan Singh has been banned for five one-day internationals following his altercation with fellow Indian Sreesanth in an Indian Premier League match.

The India spinner has already been banned from competing for Mumbai Indians in their remaining IPL games following the incident which left King's XI Punjab paceman Sreesanth in tears.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) launched a separate inquiry led by commissioner Sudhir Nanavati, whose findings prompted chairman Sharad Pawar to confirm the additional punishment.

"The BCCI have met today (and) Harbhajan Singh was also invited for the meeting - we gave him the opportunity to speak," Pawar said.

"A 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."