Bhajji pleads guilty, banned for 11 IPL matches

NDTV 24×7: Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has been banned for 11 matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) following his spat with Sreesanth at the end of Mumbai Indians’ match against Kings XI Punjab on Friday. It would effectively end Bhajji’s stint in the first edition of the IPL - unless Mumbai make it to the semi-finals, which looks highly unlikely at this point.

Harbhajan also faces separate action from the BCCI, which has asked him to explain, “as a contracted player”, his role in the incident which came to light after Sreesanth broke down in front of the cameras.

Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, said on Monday that Sudhir Nanavati, a lawyer, has been appointed to conduct a “preliminary inquiry” and submit a report “within 15 days” to Sharad Pawar, the BCCI president, who will refer the findings to the board’s disciplinary committee for possible action.

This is a totally uncalled for controversy to hit IPL. I hope it sorts itself out and we can get back to the game.

I saw a report on this issue on NDTV 24x7 which is available here in the US only on DirecTV.

Boucher leads Bangalore to win

South Africa's Mark Boucher hammered an unbeaten 39 to ensure that Bangalore Royal Challengers defeated Mumbai Indians by five wickets with two balls to spare for their first win in the Indian Premier League on Sunday.

Boucher smashed four boundaries and two sixes and was involved in a crucial 55-run partnership for the fifth wicket with compatriot Jacques Kallis (25, 24 balls, 1x6) to script a thrilling win at a fully packed and noisy Wankhede Stadium.

Chasing 166 for a first win in the Twenty20 competition, the Vijay Mallya-owned Bangalore team survived a slow start and a mid-innings hiccup to romp home with two balls to spare.

Mark Boucher (39 not out) was the highest scorer for the Bangalore team while captain Rahul Dravid (32), Jacques Kallis (25) and Virat Kohli (23) also chipped in with useful contributions.

Watched a report about this on NDTV last night. It is an excellent Indian news channel and i'm so glad i subscribed to DirecTV which allows me to access this channel.

IPL is not a light competition: Ganguly

NDTV Reports: With big names and huge money involved in it, the IPL cannot be a "light competition", former India captain Sourav Ganguly said on Thursday, dismissing suggestions that the much-hyped event would be a non-serious affair.

Ganguly, leading the Kolkata Knight Riders team which takes on Bangalore Royal Challengers in the inaugural game at M Chinnaswamy stadium, said it's going to be a serious competition, given "so many big names, so much money involved in it", and there being a "question of reputation (at stake for many players)".

"It cannot be a light competition", he said after the practice session.

Despite his T20 plunge, Ganguly held test cricket in highest esteem and said a player should be judged by his performance in five-day cricket.

"That's how (performance in test cricket) a player should be judged", Ganguly said.

Even in the case of fast bowler Ishant Sharma, who has burst into the international scene, Ganguly said he would judge the bowler from his performance in Test cricket over a decade.

Watched Ganguly's interview on NDTV last night. Its available in the US only on DirecTV...