BCCI slaps notice on Harbhajan

Harbhajan Singh has been slapped with a show cause notice by the BCCI on Saturday, asking why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for allegedly slapping Sreesanth in Mohali.


Harbhajan has been asked to respond by Monday, BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said.


"At this point of time, we have issued a show cause notice. Harbhajan is a contracted player of BCCI.


"BCCI itself has a code of conduct for players. And BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah has issued a show cause notice and he has to respond by Monday," Shetty said.


Harbhajan, leading the Mumbai Indians, allegedly slapped Sreesanth of the Kings XI Punjab following some exchange of words shortly after their match in Mohali on Friday.


Sreesanth was walking around the stadium in tears as his teammates including skipper Yuvraj Singh tried to console him.


"The Board's disciplinary committee will look into the issue and decide according to the rules of the BCCI," said Shah.


Shetty did not want to speculate on what punishment the BCCI could take against the off-spinner who is the stand-in captain of Mumbai Indians with Sachin Tendulkar keeping out due to a groin injury.


"I can't say anything about what action will be taken against him. And I don't think we need to speculate on that. We will follow a proper procedure," he said.


After getting Harbhajan's explanation, the disciplinary committee will consider what action needs to be taken in accordance with the rules, he said.