BCCI probes Harbhajan incident

India spinner Harbhajan Singh needs to explain himself to the BCCI © Getty Images

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced it will look into allegations that spinner Harbhajan Singh slapped Shanthakumaran Sreesanth following an Indian Premier League match.

The incident reportedly took place at the end of Kings XI Punjab’s 66-run victory over the Mumbai Indians, where television pictures showed fast bowler Sreesanth to be in tears.

Harbhajan has since denied hitting his India team-mate, but the BCCI have demanded an explanation from the player.

“The BCCI has taken serious note of the incident that happened between Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth at Mohali yesterday after the IPL match,” board secretary Niranjan Shah said in a statement.

“The BCCI condemns the behaviour of Harbhajan Singh as a contracted player of the board and he is called upon to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.

“He has been asked for clarification by Monday evening (April 28).”

It is not the first time Harbhajan has courted controversy this year. During India’s recent tour of Australia, the spinner was fined for using abusive language towards Andrew Symonds.