Mumbai, Apr 26: Temperamental spinner Harbhajan Singh was today served a show cause notice by the BCCI for allegedly slapping S Sreesanth after an Indian Premier League (IPL) match in Mohali.

Harbhajan, who is the stand-in captain for the Mumbai Indians team in the absence of an injured Sachin Tendulkar, has been asked to respond by Monday, BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said.

The off-spinner allegedly slapped Kings XI Punjab's Sreesanth immediately after their match last night.

The BCCI promptly served a show cause notice on Harbhajan asking him why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for his conduct in Mohali.

"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.

Both Harbhajan and Sreesanth tried to downplay the incident. The off-spinner said the issue has been "sorted out" and the pacer remarked that Harbhajan is like his "elder brother".

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

The board is also awaiting match referee's report of Rajasthan Royals and Hyderabad Deccan Chargers in which some words were exchanged between Shahid Afridi and Shane Warne.

"We are waiting for match referee's report and investigation is also going on but we want to pass the message that indiscipline will not be tolerated in the IPL tournaments which we want to make world class," Shah added.

Although Sreesanth is now trying to brush aside the matter but the pacer's uncontrollable tears after the match had initially triggered off the furore.

Kings XI captain Yuvraj Singh also confirmed that an "ugly and unacceptable" incident did take place after the match and indicated that the team would lodge an official complaint with match referee Farokh Engineer.

"This is really an ugly incident. You do not want to see such things off the field specially after such a win. I am pretty upset at what has happened. This is totally unacceptable," he said.

Harbhajan, who is often embroiled in on-field furores with the racial row with Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds being his last brush with controversy before this, has sought to steer away from any tough-talking this time.

"A lot of things happen in a family. We are part of one family. I think a lot of things which are coming out in the media, whatever have happened we have sorted out all, everything is fine now," Harbhajan said before leaving for Mumbai with his team this morning.

Sreesanth, on his part, also said everything was "normal" between him and Harbhajan.

"Everything is normal, there is nothing between us," he said.

Harbhajan and Sreesanth may be trying to downplay the incident but IPL Chairman Lalit Modi has termed it a "serious matter" and was not good for the Twenty20 tournament.

But Modi said the IPL committee would wait for an official report on the matter before deciding about their next action in the issue.

"It looks like a serious matter the way it's being shown on television channels but I can't say anything now. In any tournament it should not happen, it's unfortunate what happened yesterday," Modi told reporters here.

"The incident in itself is sketchy. There is no clear evidence at this moment, there are different versions about what may have happened. But at the end of the day we have to take cognizance of the fact that happened on the field.

"(So) we are waiting for the match referee and umpire's report only after which our committee will take a decision. The tournament is being played under the ICC guidelines, besides there are also tournament guidelines for the players," he said.

IPL Governing Council member I S Bindra said the code of conduct laid by the International Cricket Council would be app licable on Harbhajan.

"As (IPL Chairman Lalit) Modi said the process has been put in place. (But) it is unfortunate and an ICC code of conduct will be applicable," Bindra said.

Bindra, however, refused to comment on the issue until an inquiry found out what exactly happened between the two players last night.

"You were all there but I can say that only inquiry will find out what exactly happened. For anyone to comment at this stage is not right.

"The code of conduct has certain procedures which will be gone through. Once the process is completed, the action will follow," he said.

"At this moment, the process is sacrosanct which will be followed," he added.

Asked if there would be any time-limit to resolve the issue, the former BCCI President said "it is a semi-judicial process, you cannot say when it will finish. The process has to run its course, we can't lay down time limit".

On the possibility of banning Harbhajan, who has developed a knack for courting controversies, Bindra said, "if that is the recommendation, IPL Governing Council will take decision according to the findings".

Bindra advised the players to strictly follow the 'spirit of cricket'.

"My views are clear that the game must be played in the spirit of game. IPL has specially adopted 'spirit of cricket, everyone has to follow the spirit which is more important than the law itself," he said.

Harbhajan refutes having slapped Sreesanth

Mohali, Apr 26:

Dismissing the reports that he slapped Kings XI pacer S Sreesanth, Mumbai Indians' captain Harbhajan Singh today said the issue has already been sorted out and added that the incident was blown out of proportion.

''The issue has been blown out of proportion and I did not slap Sreesanth,'' Harbhajan told mediapersons here.

''A lot of things happen in a family. We are part of one family.

Everything is fine now, Sreesanth is like a younger brother to me and we have sorted out the issue. I have spoken to him after the match was over last night,'' Harbhajan added.

Yesterday after Kings XI beat Mumbai Indians it was alleged that Harbhajan slapped Sreesanth after the pacer had said something offensive to the off-spinner. After the whole incident, Sreesanth was seen in tears.

However, Harbhajan did not disclose the the matter that resulted him to behave in such a manner.

''I can only tell you that we share a great camaraderie. We have played cricket for India in the past and will continue doing so in the future as well,'' he said.

Meanwhile, Sreesanth too, agreed that there were no more lingering issues and everything has been sorted out.

''Everything is normal, there is nothing between us,'' he said.

Harbhajan had a long chat with Sreesanth over the issue in the Kings XI dressing room and it is believed that the off-spinner has apologised for his yesterday's behaviour.

Harbhajan can play tomorrow: Shah

Mumbai, Apr 26:

Harbhajan Singh, issued a show cause notice by the Cricket Board for allegedly slapping rival paceman S Sreesanth of King's XI Punjab last night at Mohali, is free to play in tomorrow's IPL tie for Mumbai Indians against Deccan Chargers.

"We have issued a show cause notice to Harbhajan for which he has been given time till Monday evening to reply. He can play in the match," BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah said.

The match between Mumbai Indians, which has been captained by Harbhajan due to the groin injury to Sachin Tendulkar, and Hyderabad's Deccan Chargers is to be held at the D Y Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

"The reply from Harbhajan will hopefully make things clearer," he pointed out.

The shocking incident took place following a verbal altercation between the two players after the Punjab team, for which Harbhajan plays in the national championship for the Ranji Trophy, defeated the Mumbai franchise outfit owned by Reliance Industries.

Sreesanth, also a temperamental player like Harbhajan who represents Kerala in Ranji Trophy, was seen shedding tears at the ground after the alleged slapping incident.

Harbhajan was recently embroiled in a controversy Down Under after he was found guilty of racially abusing Australian all rounder Andrew Symonds, who represents the Hyderabad team in the IPL, in the Sydney Test and was banned for two Tests match referee Mike Procter.

The punishment was toned down and he was found guilty only of general abuse following an appeal to the International Cricket Council which appointed a retired New Zealand judge to hear the player's appeal.

Harbhajan got away with a monetary penalty after the racist slur against his name was removed and the judge later said the ICC did not make him aware of the player's previous brushes with the cricket authorities for breaching its code of conduct on quite a few occasions in the past.

ICC code will be applicable: Bindra

Chandigarh, Apr 26:

Indian Premier League Governing Council member I S Bindra today said the code of conduct laid by the International Cricket Council would be applicable on Mumbai Indians stand-in captain Harbhajan Singh, who has allegedly slapped paceman S Sreesanth of Kings XI Punjab.

"As (IPL Chairman Lalit) Modi said the process has been put in place. (But) it is unfortunate and an ICC code of conduct will be applicable," Bindra said.

Bindra, however, said he was not in a state to comment on the issue until an inquiry found out what exactly happened between the two players last night after which Sreesanth was seen bitterly crying on the ground.

"You were all there but I can say that only inquiry will find out what exactly happened. For anyone to comment at this stage is not right.

"The code of conduct has certain procedures which will be gone through. Once the process is completed, the action will follow," he said.

"At this moment, the process is sacrosanct which will be followed," he added.

Asked if there would be any time-limit to resolve the issue, the former BCCI President said "it is a semi-judicial process, you cannot say when it will finish. The process has to run its course, we can't lay down time limit".

On the possibility of banning Harbhajan, who has developed a knack for courting controversies, Bindra said "if that is the recommendation, IPL Governing Council will take decision according to the findings".

Bindra advised the players to strictly follow the 'spirit of cricket'.

"My views are clear that the game must be played in the spirit of game. IPL has specially adopted 'spirit of cricket, everyone has to follow the spirit which is more important than the law itself," he said.

Don`t blow it out of proportion: Harbhajan`s mother

Chandigarh, Apr 26:

Off spinner Harbhajan Singh`s mother Avtaar Kaur on Saturday said the last night`s controversy between her son and paceman S Sreesanth should not be blown out of proportion.

"I don`t think any such thing happened and it should not be blown out of proportion," she told media from Jalandhar.

"Harbhajan is my son and so is Sreesanth. At the end of day they have to play together (for India)," she said.

Avtaar Kaur admitted that it was not a very good feeling to see Harbhajan courting controversies more often than not.

"I feel hurt when he is in news for wrong reason," she said.

In a latest controversy, Harbhajan had allegedly slapped Sreesanth when the paceman said something to him which the off-spinner found offensive. The paceman was seen crying bitterly on the ground at the end of the IPL match, which his team won by 66 runs.

Harbhajan had preferred to maintain silence on the issue in the post match conference but Punjab team captain Yuvraj Singh had described the incident as "ugly".

Earlier, this year Harbhajan Singh was involved in a racism row with Australian all rounder Andrew Symonds during India`s tour of Down Under.

I will give it back on the field: Sreesanth

Mohali, Apr 26: Downplaying his unpleasant exchange with Harbhajan Singh, Sreesanth said that he wants to let bygones be bygones and that he has moved on. He seemed keen to move on. "I won`t really call it a slap, more like the handshake was in the wrong place. I told him, I`m OK with it, I`m fine with it. Maybe, next time I meet him in Mumbai, I`ll give it back on the field," said Sreesanth, member, Kings XI Punjab. He also ruled out making an official complain against Bhajji, saying the Harbhajan Singh was like an elder brother. Meanwhile, the prospect of being faced with a stern disciplinary action for slapping Sreesanth after the IPL match on Friday, seems to have had a sobering effect on Harbhajan Singh. Talking to the reporters a day after the incident, the Mumbai Indians captain said that he had the sorted out the issue with Sreesanth. "Sreesanth and I have sorted out the issue, we should'nt talk about the issue again. A lot of things happen in a family. We are part of one family. I think a lot of things which are coming out in the media, whatever have happened we have sorted out all, everything is fine now", Singh said. Bhajji was also quoted saying that he didn`t slap Sreesanth but pushed him.

This is the second time in the last six months that Harbhajan has been at the epicentre of a major controversy. In January this year, 'Turbanator' was accused of racially abusing Andrew Symonds by the Australians during the infamous Sydney, inviting the wrath of the Australian team as well as the public throughout India's tour Down Under.

On-field relations between Harbhajan and Sreesanth appeared strained during the India-South Africa Test series as well. Sreesanth had dropped Hashim Amla off Harbhajan during the Chennai Test to which Harbhajan reacted with displeasure after which he was seen motioning towards Sreesanth after making a diving save at point.

Meanwhile, the IPL`s governing body has barred the players and the officials on speaking on the Bhajji-Sree row to the media. Lalit Modi, the commisioner of the IPL said, "We will probe the incident".

Mumbai Indians captain Sachin Tendulkar, who is yet to play an IPL match because of a groin injury, refused to talk about the issue. "I don`t want to talk about it," the Maestro said.

IPL rivalries turn ugly; Bhajji slaps Sreesanth

Mohali, Apr 26: Just when everyone thought that the Indian Premier League had provided the healing touch to the bitter on-field acrimonies among players of different nationalities, the banter has been hit by an unprecedented incident. It is alleged that moments after the Mohali team won their first match in the league, Mumbai Indians` skipper Harbhajan Singh slapped his IPL rival and Indian team mate, Kings XI Punjab team's fast bowler, S Sreesanth, reducing the latter to tears. The brawl apparently took place following an argument during the match.

Eyewitnesses to the ugly incident said that when a smiling Sreesanth walked up to Harbhajan and said "Hard luck" after the match, the fiery Sikh lost his cool and hit Sreesanth under the eye.

At the post match press conference, Harbhajan Singh refused to answer questions related to the incident at the post-match press conference. "Can we have questions on just cricket," he said.

His opposite number, Kings XI captain, Yuvraj Singh was however forthcoming in his views, terming the incident 'unacceptable'. "This is really an ugly incident," Yuvraj said, "This is totally unacceptable." He added, though, Harbhajan had visited the dressing-room after the match and apologised to Sreesanth.

Apology notwithstanding, it remains to be seen how the Indian Premier League handles it as a disciplinary issue.

Later Sreesanth told reporters at the stadium that "nothing serious happened" and that he and Harbhajan were 'still part of the national team'.

Talking to Zee News on the matter, BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla said that the on field matters should have been sorted out on the ground itself. He however said that the board would look into the matter and take appropriate action against anyone found guilty.

IS Bindra, the president of the Punjab Cricket Association, denied that an official complaint has been lodged. "Some media people have asked me about this incident. No official complaint has reached me yet. I believe what happens on the field should be sorted out by the players on the field itself," he said.

On-field relations between Harbhajan and Sreesanth appeared strained during the India-South Africa Test series as well. Sreesanth had dropped Hashim Amla off Harbhajan during the Chennai Test to which Harbhajan reacted with displeasure after which he was seen motioning towards Sreesanth after making a diving save at point.

This is the second time in the last six months that Harbhajan has been at the centre of controversy. Earlier this year the Australians accused him of racially abusing Andrew Symonds during the Test series Down Under.

Ness Wadia, the owner of Mohali King's XI Punjab refused to comment on the matter.

The matches referee's statement is expected later in the day.

Engineer to adjudicate Bhajji-Sreesanth row on Monday

Mohali, April 26

Match referee Farokh Engineer, who is adjudicating into the row involving Harbhajan Singh and S Sreesanth, Saturday said he will conduct a hearing into the matter on Monday in New Delhi.

Engineer said both the parties would be summoned and he would consider video evidence, if any, to find the truth.

"The inquiry date has been fixed as Monday in New Delhi. We are not going to sweep things under the carpet. The complaint has to be carefully examined before any decision is made," engineer told reporters here.

Engineer said the inquiry would be conducted as per the ICC code of conduct and a decision will be taken in the interest of the game.

"Everything possible will be done to adjudicate it immediately. The complaint made by the management of the Punjab team has been referred to me by Lalit Modi, chief commissioner of the IPL for immediate adjudication under the ICC code of conduct.

"I have already started the process and will be summoning all concerned and will also seek any video evidence recorded by the host broadcaster." Engineer also urged the media to have patience and not stretch much in getting the information on the unsavoury issue.

"Since the process has started I will request the media not to seek any further clarification or information. I will furnish my report to chief commissioner of IPL keeping in view the ICC code of conduct and interest of cricket," he said.

Earlier, Punjab Cricket Association president I S Bindra said they will provide all the logistical support to Engineer to conduct the inquiry.

"Farokh has been asked to adjudicate the matter and a complaint has been forwarded to him. We have been asked (by Lalit Modi) to provide logistic support to engineer," Bindra said.

Harbhajan allegedly slapped Sreesanth immediately after their Indian Premier League match last night, in which Sreesanth`s Kings XI Punjab defeated the Harbhajan-led Mumbai Indians.