New Delhi, April 28
Indian Premier League Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi today said they have sent a "strong message" by banning Harbhajan Singh for 11-13 matches and penalising him for close to $ 600,000 (Rs 2.6 crore) for slapping rival pacer S Sreesanth after a match last week.

"What has happened is Harbhajan did cross the 'Lakshman Rekha', he should not have done it... Harbhajan should not have crossed the line now that he did, we took immediate action," Modi said.

"This is a strong message that we have sent out, we have banned him for close to 13 matches, 11 or 13 depending on how the Mumbai team performs. We have also fined him 100 per cent of his pay cheque and that is close to $ 600,000 (approax Rs 2.6 crore)," he told NDTV.

"It is not just any other tournament, it is a very serious tournament," he insisted.

Asked if the slap incident had affected the tournament, Modi said it did not reduce the euphoria generated and in fact positives could be drawn from it.

"I think it (euphoria) is more than enough... but there is a positive side to the incident because the players have taken this game as their own and they are actually fighting out for it as if they would have fought for team India, that's the positive side of it," he said.

Modi said the footage of the incident would not be made public because the IPL inquiry did not think it was fair to do so.

"It don't thik it is fair for us to put it to the rest of the world. We have decided not to show it to anybody," he said.

On letting off Sreesanth with only warning, Modi said he was warned for his role during the actual incident.

"Actually, at the time when the slapping incident took place Sreesanth had not provoked Harbhajan at all but during the matches we heard that there was skirmishes between the players and also during another match in Jaipur, Sreesanth was very aggressive with (Mohammad) Kaif. So he was given a warning based on that," he said. — PTI 

New Delhi, April 28
The BCCI today announced that Sudhir Nanvati has been appointed as the commissioner to look in to the matter of disciplinary action against off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.

Nanvati, who is an advocate in Ahmedabad, will submit his report within 15 days to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sharad Pawar.

''As per the constitution, BCCI has appointed Mr Sudhir Nanavati as Commissioner to make preliminary inquiry and call for explanation from the concerned person(s) and submit his report within 15 days to the president, BCCI Mr Sharad Pawar, to look in to the matter of disciplinary action against Harbhajan Singh,'' BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said in a statement.

Following his reports, Pawar will forward it to the disciplinary committee which will decide Harbhajan's fate.

Earlier this week, Harbhajan allegedly slapped S Sreesanth after an IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab.

The off-spinner, who has been in the news this year for a number controversies faced a hearing headed by match referee Farokh Engineer here today, where he was banned from taking any further part in the IPL. —UNI 

Bangalore, April 28
A belligerent Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit a whirlwind 65 off just 30 balls as Chennai Super Kings registered a 13-run win Bangalore Royal Challengers in the DLF-Indian Premier League T20 tie played at M Chinnaswamy stadium here today.

Batting first Chennai scored 178 for five in the stipulated 20 overs. Chasing this total, Royal Challengers were in hunt as long as Wasim Jaffer and Ross Taylor were at the crease. Once they were back in the povilion, the rest of the batting just caved in. They were bowled out for 165, handing Super Kings 13-run win.

Lanky Punjab seamer Manpreet Gony caused the maximum damage, claiming three wickets.

The Super Kings, who had three runaway wins in as many matches in the league so far, made a slow start for a change, thanks to some purposeful bowling by Dale Stein, who made the IPL debut, and the duo of Zaheer Khan and Praveen Kumar.

But when Dhoni arrived in the middle, with team struggling at 83 for 3 in 12 overs, he made all the difference. In the able company of prolific Aussie batsman Michael Hussey, who hit a purposeful 47 off 37 balls, the Indian one-day captain lifted the Chennai innings with his swashbuckling knock.

In the last two overs he scored 37 runs to take the visitors to a total which looked defendable.

Dhoni and Hussey added 95 runs to the fourth wicket in just 47 balls negating the plans of Rahul Dravid who led the team well till the Dhoni blitzkrieg began. In his 30-ball innings Dhoni struck 65 hitting nine hits to the fence and three huge sixes. Enjoying his company Hussey supported the Chennai skipper well and the two took the score to defendable level.

Hussey struck three fours and two sixes in the last match of the IPL that he would play as he returns home to play against West Indies. It was a fruitful stay for the Australian batsman in the cash-righ league which included a fine century in the opening match.

In a brutal mood, Dhoni spoilt the analysis of Stein in the 19th over of the match hitting the South African tearaway to three fours and a huge six to milk 24 runs from that over.

The final over from Zaheer was no different as Dhoni hit two fours and a six before holing out to the hands of substitute Vinay Kumar. However, by then the captain had completed his job of taking Channai to a respectable score.

Stein, who oozed confidence to the Bangalore attack which looked ordinary in the two home matches hitherto, gave a perfect start to the local team by conceding just eight runs in his first spell of two overs. He got good bounce and moved the ball menacingly troubling the Chennai openers. Zaheed and Praveen also bowled well within themselves and the Challengers looked comfortable in halting the Chennai progress.

Parthiv Patel and opener Matthew Hayden were kept in check by the opening bowlers and despite hitting two boundaries in the second over off Zaheer, the Aussie looked ill at east for the first time and was lucky not to depart early.

But he had to leave off a Zaheer delivery pulling one into his stumps. Parthiv also found the going tough and departed caught well by Kallis in the slips to give Praveen his only wicket.

Scoreboard

Chennai Super Kings:

Patel c Kallis b Kumar 21

Hayden b Khan 13

Hussey c Dravid b Khan 47

Raina run out 28

Dhoni c sub b Khan 65

Oram not out 0

Extras (lb 1, w 3): 4

Total (5 wickets; 20 overs): 178

Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-42 , 3-83, 4-178, 5-178

Bowling: D Steyn 4-0-40-0, Zaheer Khan 4-0-38-3, Praveen Kumar 4-0-29-1, J Kallis 4-0-36-0, B Akhil 4-0-34-0

Bangalore Royal Challengers:

Chipli b Gony 8

Jaffer c Oram b Amarnath 50

Taylor c Raina b Amarnath 53

Kallis c Dhoni b Joginder 14

Boucher c Hussey b Gony 4

Kohli b Morkel 12

Dravid lbw b Gony 0

Praveen run out 6

Zaheer run out 8

Akhil not out 2

Steyn c Hussey b Joginder 1

Extras: (lb 1, w 6): 7

Total (10 wickets; 19.4 overs): 165

Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-102, 3-127, 4-132 , 5-142, 6-143, 7-149, 8-161, 9-162, 10-165

Bowling: J Oram 4-0-27-0, M Gony 4-0-34-3, J Morkel 4-0-38-1, P Amarnath 4-0-38-2, Joginder Sharma 3.4-0-27-2

Player of the match: MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings)

Jalandhar, April 28
No sooner did the BCCI slap an 11-match ban on IPL matches on Mumbai Indians stand-in skipper Harbhajan Singh, the local press including the electronic media with their OB vans thronged Bhajji’s house expecting a meeting with his family at his house but the latter kept media at bay.

But to the utter despair of media, Bhajji’s family did not open the gate for once and kept the mediapersons standing outside in the scorching heat. The entire 22, Welfare Society, Daulatpuri, where Bhajji lives was converted into a congested lane with the electronic media trying to peep into Harbhajan’s house.

All that the electronic media could get was a few bytes of the family members of Bhajji coming in and out of the house with the local residents standing outside as well. There were mixed reactions for the outrageous behaviour of the Mumbai Indians skipper.

Though some said that the issue has been blown out of proportion others said that Bhajji should be punished strictly with a one-year ban.

Kuldeep Kaur, the neighbour of Bhajji who has been residing there for the past 15 years, said, “I have known Bhajji for the past 15 years. He is a very cool-headed person. A lot of things happen on the field. The BCCI should have tried to settle the matter amicably instead of taking a decision like this”.

On the other hand a group of youngsters maintained that Bhajji was wrong. “Even if he was offended he should not have stooped to this level. Bhajji deserves even more strict punishment than this as he brought disgrace to the game and its ethics”.

However, Kartar Singh, a cousin of Bhajji, while talking to The Tribune, said, “Bhajji has already admitted his fault and was deeply remorseful too. Somehow I think the BCCI should have taken the issue sympathetically”.

The issue of slapping took place on Friday at PCA, Mohali, when Kings XI Punjab defeated Mumbai Indians and the rest of the players were going back to the dressing room. It was here that the electronic media captured the images of Sreesanth crying like a child.

Though Harbhajan apologized later on but by that time the electronic media had flashed the images of what was happening on the field. 

Chandigarh, April 28
Former national captain Pargat Singh today welcomed the suspension of the Indian Hockey Federation and hoped that things will improve in the national game in the near future.

"It's a good development which was long overdue and much required. I welcome that IOA has suspended IHF. Now, the ugly state of things which has marred Indian hockey are bound to improve," Pargat told PTI here.

He said the Indian Hockey Federation headed by K P S Gill was like a "sick unit" which has "completely ruined our hockey."

"Whichever team comes now will be better than the incumbent one," the stalwart defender of yesteryears said.

Pargat said Gill should have "respectfully stepped down" long ago, "but if he does not want to go, he should be shown the door." He said administration of the Indian hockey was of paramount importance and if that was not proper, "our hockey was bound to suffer."

"We should now focus on upgrading our coaching level and also think in terms of marketing our hockey by bringing in more sponsors, which will lift this sport that has fallen to its lowest level in decades," the former skipper felt.

Octogenarian Olympian Balbir Singh senior said change was badly required in the IHF.

"For past so many years, the present body had not been showing any result. I welcome the change, which should do good to the sport," he said.

Balbir said his good wishes were with the new ad-hoc committee which would replace IHF.

"We hope the new team produces results, which are badly needed to lift our national game," he said.

Striker Gagan Ajit Singh said whoever is appointed in future at the helm of affairs of Indian hockey should be a "responsible and professional person." — PTI

Kolkata, April 28
After a nightmarish start to their Indian Premier League campaign, Mumbai Indians have an uphill climb with injured skipper Sachin Tendulkar still doubtful for the game against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens here tomorrow.

The Mumbai franchise, the most expensive in the eight-team league, is in dire straits after losing the four matches they have played so far. The only team yet to open their points kitty, the Reliance Industries-owned side brings up the rear of the table.

Their stand-in skipper Harbhajan Singh slapping S Sreesanth after going down to the latter's Kings XI Punjab has given the side additional negative publicity, and the visitors badly need a win to leave behind the unsavoury episode.

While the subsequent 11-match ban on Harbhajan has taken the sting out of their spin bowling arsenal, the unavailability of icon Tendulkar is posing a lot of problems in the batting department.

None of the willowers have cracked a half-century, and the form of Sri Lankan veteran Sanath Jayasuriya and fellow opener Luke Ronchi is a major cause for concern, though young gun Robin Uthappa and Mumbai left-hander Abhishek Nayar have played a couple of decent knocks.

In such a scenario, the return to action of Tendulkar would have been the best piece of news the team management could have hoped for, but sources close to the right-hander indicated that he would take some more time to be match fit.

After a sound start, the Sourav Ganguly-led Kolkata Knight Riders stumbled against Chennai Super Kings two days back, and the hosts would be keen to regain the momentum against a side, which has looked the least impressive among all the participants.

Having logged four points, the Kolkata team now occupies third slot in the table, and would hope to move up the ladder with a victory.

Knight Riders coach John Buchanan announced that Pakistan pacer Umar Gul, who arrived here last week, would replace teenage spinner Iqbal Abdullah in the 13-member squad for tomorrow's clash.

The Australian admitted that save the blistering hundred from Brendon McCullum and a sound innings from David Hussey, his star batsmen have not been able to find their bearings, but praised Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Wriddhiman Saha for coming up with good performances with the willow.

Ganguly and Aussie captain Ricky Ponting, the latter playing his last match in this edition of the IPL tomorrow, have been going through a lean patch, and the expected full house at the Eden would hope to see them among runs.

The Knight Riders are not taking the Mumbai Indians lightly. — PTI

Kolkata Knight Riders’ coach John Buchanan today hoped star batsman Ricky Ponting who is going through a lean patch, would soon be in fine nick.

Talking to mediapersons here on the eve of tomorrow’s IPL match between the Kolkata Knight Riders’ and Mumbai Indians, Buchanan said, “Hope Ponting will soon strike for. It’s unfortunate that Ricky is going through a lean patch.”

On dashing Windies’ opener Chris Gayle, he said Gayle was under supervision of team physio Andrew Leipus.

Buchanan said the final eleven would be chosen before the match. He, however, said Pakistani speedster Umar Gul would replace Iqbal in tomorrow’s match.

Buchanan was full of praise for local lads Wridhiman Saha and Laxmi Ratan Shukla and said they were putting up a very impressive performance. — UNI

New Delhi, April 28
India will take on Olympic qualifier New Zealand in the opening match of the seven-nation Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey tournament to be played at Ipoh, Malaysia from May 8 to 18.

Other teams taking part in the 17th edition of the tournament are Belgium, Canada, Pakistan (qualified for the Beijing Olympics), Malaysia and Argentina.

Holders Australia has opted out of the tournament. Hosts Malaysia are the runners-up while India is the third placer for last two editions.

India will face arch rivals Pakistan on May 15

Match Schedule:

May 8: India vs New Zealand, Argentina vs Belgium, Pakistan vs Malaysia

May 9: Canada vs Belgium, Pakistan vs New Zealand, India vs Argentina

May 10: Rest

May 11: Pakistan vs Argentina,India vs Canada, Malaysia vs New Zealand

May 12: India vs Belgium, Canada vs Pakistan, Malaysia vs Argentina

May 13: Rest

May 14: New Zealand vs Argentina, Belgium vs Pakistan, Malaysia vs Canada

May 15: India vs Pakistan, New Zealand vs Canada, Belgium vs Malaysia

May 16: Rest

May 17: Argentina vs Canada, India vs Malaysia, New Zealand vs Belgium

May 18: Final and Placement matches. — UNI

London, April 28
Cristiano Ronaldo has been chosen English soccer’s Player of the Year by his fellow pros for the second season in a row.

The Professional Footballers Association, the English league players’ union, gave the award to the Manchester United winger who has 38 goals in league and cup play this season.

“I feel very happy,” said Ronaldo, who beat five other players on the PFA shortlist: Liverpool’s Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor and Portsmouth goalkeeper David James.

“When you work all season to play good, to do something for the team, to do your contribution for the team and then at the end of the season the PFA give you this award, it is a great moment. It is an honour, a pleasure.”

Fabregas received the young player award. — AP

Barcelona, Spain, April 28
The brightest young star in the brigade of Indian racing car drivers, Karun Chandhok showed his pace but couldn’t find any luck in the opening round of the GP2 Series Forumula One.

Chandhok finished just out of the points in ninth place on feature race, and was eliminated from yesterday’s sprint after a number of collisions damaged his steering.

The 24 year old from Chennai, suffered a blow straight away when he lost control of his Sport International car in April 25 free practice session, while running on a tricky full fuel tank/stiff suspension set-up combination. He was travelling at well over 180 kmh in fifth gear when he went off into the tyrewall, but escaped unhurt.

He made a brilliant start, immediately leaping up to fifth and then taking fourth with an amazing around-the-outside move on Adrian Valles at the first corner. Everything was going well behind his team-mate Bruno Senna, untill a safety car resulted in all the cars coming into the pits together, forcing Karun to sit and wait behind Senna in his pit box. — UNI

Richmond, April 28
A flawless front nine — studded with four birdies — helped Arjun Atwal survive a late slide and sign off a commendable tied fourth in the $ 500,000 Henrico County Open on the Nationwide Tour here.

The Orlando-based golfer, who won Asian tour’s Maybank Malaysian Open in March, chalked up a four-day total of 12-under 276.

Atwal, who is trying to earn back his US PGA Tour card, sank in an eagle, five birdies against three bogeys to finish off a solid campaign.

Atwal sank the first of his five birdies on the second before picking up three more strokes on the second, fourth and seventh to make the turn four-under. — PTI