Sreesanth likely to be exonerated

By BIPIN DANI

Mumbai, May 9: Fast bowler Shantakumaran Sreesanth, 25, is likely to be exonerated in BCCI-appointed commissioner Sudhir Nanavati’s report, it is learnt here.

According to highly placed sources present at Friday’s hearing in Ahmedabad, it emerged that Kings XI Punjab pace bowler Sreesanth did not provoke Mumbai Indians’ acting captain Harbhajan at any time during their IPL match at Mohali on April 25 and therefore is likely to go unpunished.

"Harbhajan could not give a reason for slapping Sreesanth but he did say sorry," the source added. Nanavati would have accepted the apology but no lawyer for either player was present during the 150 minute hearing.

BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah and board laywer Akhila Kaushik were present, it was learnt here.

"Both players were a little nervous, but Harbhajan Singh was more so, " the source added, though Nanavati himself maintained that, "both the players were normal, very supportive and co-operative during the proceedings." Nanavati questioned the two separately. Harbhajan was first to go into the lawyer’s chambers, followed by Sreesanth.