New Delhi - Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh was Wednesday banned for five one-day internationals for slapping fellow India team bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth during an Indian Premier League match, news reports said. The disciplinary committee of the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) also warned Harbhajan that any further instance of misconduct would invoke a life-ban, IANS news agency reported.
Harbhajan, 27, has already been banned for the rest of the inaugural Indian Premier League Twenty20 season by the organizers
The decision to ban Harbhajan was taken by the BCCI disciplinary panel after an inquiry commissioner appointed by the board submitted his report.
"The committee has decided to ban Harbhajan Singh for five one-day internationals, starting May 14 and that any further instance of misconduct will invoke a life-ban," the BCCI said in a statement.
Harbhajan will now miss the tri-series in Bangladesh and also the first two games of the Asia Cup in Pakistan next June.
The slapping incident took place after Harbhajan's Mumbai Indians team lost to Kings XI Punjab in a match in Mohali in northern Punjab state on April 23. Sreesanth is a member of the Punjab team.
Harbhajan is one of India's most successful spin bowlers but his career has been mired in controversies.
During a tour of Australia earlier this year, he was found guilty of racially abusing Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds and given a three-match ban and a fine. The ban was lifted after an appeal and the fine reduced by 50 per cent.
