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Harbhajan Singh has been banned for 11 matches in the Indian Premier League in a hearing on Monday for slapping S Sreesanth after the game between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab was concluded. Sreesanth was seen in tears after the incident took place and was being consoled by his Mohali teammates and owner Preity Zinta.

The match referee found that the incident was unprovoked. Harbhajan has been fined with 100 percent match fee and has to forfeit all all of his fees from the third game onwards. Sreesanth has also been warned.

Mumbai Indians coach Lalchand Rajput was also found guilty under Level Two offence (not stopping misconduct by a player) for breaching 'Spirit of Cricket' and has been fined 50 per cent of his fees. Rajput was standing behind Harbhajan and did not take any step to stop him.

Now Harbhajan can play in IPL only if Mumbai qualify for the semi-finals. But trouble for the off-spinner may not be over completely as he has to appear before the BCCI's independent hearing, which served him with a show cause notice on Saturday. Harbhajan is a contracted player with the BCCI and hence the BCCI will pursue the matter independently.

Harbhajan Singh accepted the charge at the code of conduct hearing, adding whatever happened was not due to any ill-intention. The off-spinner, accompanied by Mumbai coach Lalchand Rajput and Harsha Bhogle to the hearing, said his primary focus was to play for India. He also made clear that he had no malice towards Sreesanth.

Harbhajan was the stand-in skipper for the Mumbai Indians in the absence of Sachin Tendulkar. The controversial bowler was temporariy banned on Saturday after news regarding his tiff broke out and did not play in Sunday's game against the Deccan Chargers.