
Temperamental off-spinner Harbhajan Singh today got away with a five-match ODI ban for slapping his India teammate S Sreesanth but was warned by the Cricket Board of a life ban for any further misconduct on his part. A day after BCCI-appointed Commissioner Sudhir Nanavati submitted a 14-page report to the Board, the BCCI's Disciplinary Committee acted swiftly to impose the ban on the beleaguered spinner who will now miss the forthcoming tri-series in Bangladesh and two matches of the Asia Cup in Pakistan.
Sympathising with Harbhajan Singh after the slapgate controversy, Australian spin wizard Shane Warne has offered to help the off-spinner in any way he could.
Warne said Harbhajan should be appreciated for the fact that he admitted his mistake of slapping speedster S Sreesanth.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting took a dig at Harbhajan Singh, saying the off-spinner has been "unmasked" by his attack on teammate Sreesanth.