India's Harbhajan Singh has been hit with an 11 match Indian Premier League Ban following his controversial 'slap' incident with international team mate Sree Santh, effectively ending his IPL experience. He has also been fined his match fees for the entire tournament, a sum that totals hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, the worst sanctions could be yet to come, with the BCCI (Board for Control of Cricket in India) charging him with a level 4 offence, relating to assault.
The altercation, which has caused shockwaves in his native India, took place in the dressing room after the match between Singh's Mumbai Indians and Santh's King's XI Punjab. Harbhajan allegedly pushed India's young bowler before striking him in the face, with a visibly emotional Santh shown later on TV crying on the pitch.
The decision means that Singh will play no further part in the Mumbai Indians' campaign unless they reach the final, leaving them without their captain, Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar, through injury and now their vice-captain through suspension.
Singh is not a stranger to controversy, either. Hauled up in front of the ICC earlier in the year under charges of racial abuse directed at Australia's Andrew Symonds, he eventually had his charge downgraded to use of abusive language. This decision angered many Australian fans and supporters, with a furious Matthew Hayden calling him an "obnoxious little weed" live on radio.
'Bhaji' has already lost $750,000 in monetary terms through this solitary action, but the worst price could eventually be his career.
If the BCCI decide to make an example of him, we may have already seen Harbhajan Singh's last over of first class cricket.
Did Harbhajan Singh deserve this punishment? Please post your comments and opinions below.
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3 months ago
He certainly deserved it..this kind of behaviour is unacceptable..well written again Jon!
2 months ago
Being an Indian supporer i know he's gone over the line this time......
from 2 months ago
Do you think he'll get a career ban from the BCCI? I have to say it doesn't look good for him.
from 2 months ago
I personally wish he does,people like him and Yuvraj Singh are oversmart and think they will get away with it every time...he is destroying the image of Indian Cricket...
slapping youre own countryman is too much....
2 months ago
Well written Jonathan...i totally agree that Harbhajan crossed all limits this time around. That said I am sure there is more to this story. Especially since it involves Sreesanth who has a history of provocative behaviour. Furthermore, the whole scene of crying in front of the cameras was just lame...after all he is a professional cricketer and should act like one.
It's a shame though. 2 countrymen and teammates.....its a shame!!
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