Banned Harbhajan issues apology

9:54am Tuesday 29th April 2008

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HARBHAJAN Singh has apologised to Shanthakumaran Sreesanth after being handed an 11-match ban following the clash with his India team-mate at the end of an Indian Premier League match last Friday.

The Mumbai Indians bowler was also fined 100 per cent of his match fee after being found guilty of a Level 4.2 offence under the International Cricket Council's Code of Conduct for apparently slapping Sreesanth following Kings XI Punjab's 66-run victory.

The suspension will likely see Harbhajan miss the remainder of the inaugural IPL campaign. He would only return to the series should the Indians reach the semi-finals.

The 27-year-old off-spinner has expressed his regret over the altercation, which left his international colleague in tears.

I am very apologetic about the whole incident,'' Harbhajan said.

What I did to Sree was wrong.

He is like my younger brother. I regret my actions that have hurt Sreesanth's feelings.'' After yesterday's 45-minute hearing, which was chaired by match referee Farokh Engineer, Harbhajan and Sreesanth hugged and shook hands for the cameras.

Mumbai coach Lalchand Rajput was fined 50 per cent of his match fee after being found guilty of a Level 2 offence at the same hearing.

Rajput did not do enough to stop the incident,'' said IPL commissioner Lalit Modi.

Rajput was right behind Harbhajan when the incident took place. He didn't take any step to restrain him.'' Sreesanth, meanwhile, was let off with a warning for his part.