Some people just don’t know when to quit. Not satisfied with getting away with racial taunts against Andrew Symonds, spinner Harbhajan Singh has now decided to physically assault one of his national teammates, Sri Sreesanth, during the Punjab Kings XI defeat of the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

This is a classic example of what happens when you ignore a problem. The BCCI has not only condoned Harbhajan’s dreadful behaviour, but has insisted that he had done nothing wrong. They claimed he was being vilified and that he was understood. Now Bhajji has embarrassed the BCCI in their showpiece, the IPL, and the rest of us, are now able to say: “We told you so”.

Harbhajan allegedly delivered a slap to the face of Sreesanth, leaving the fast bowler crying like a schoolgirl. Although that is worthy of some comment – and ridicule – the fact remains that no player should be assaulted like that on the cricket field, or off it for that matter.

'The BCCI is ominously trying to divert attention by refusing to answer questions on the issue. Sreesanth has obviously been told to keep quiet and Bhajji never thinks he’s done anything wrong'


Again, however, the PR guys have gone into overdrive, insisting that nothing happened. Sreesanth has claimed that “everything was normal and that nothing untoward happened”. Harbhajan had stated that it was not a slap and was instead “just a push”. Yeah, right.

The incident allegedly occurred after Sreesanth said something to Harbhajan which he apparently found offensive. Harbhajan insisted that it was all part of the game - who knows, perhaps the laws of cricket have been changed for the IPL. If it is part of the game, why didn't Symonds take that approach with Bhajji. Roy is a big bloke and aslap from him would really wake you up.

So, can we expect anything to come of this, or will Harbhajan skate through this episode as he has done for all of the others? Certainly, the BCCI is ominously trying to divert attention by refusing to answer questions on the issue. Sreesanth has obviously been told to keep quiet and Bhajji never thinks he’s done anything wrong.

Harbhajan has been asked to show cause why he shouldn’t face disciplinary action, although why this step is necessary is unclear. There will be an ICC Code of Conduct hearing, presided over by Indian legend Farokh Engineer. It will be interesting to see how the BCCI reacts if Engineer delivers a finding against Harbhajan: will they attack him as they did Mike Procter?

For his own sake, Harbhajan needs to be sanctioned. His actions have escalated from verbal abuse and racial taunts to physical attacks on an opposition player.  Where will he go next, hitting someone with his bat? I’d love to see him talk his way out of that one.

For now, however, there is a whole collection of Aussie players and fans smiling to themselves and muttering things about Karma. Maybe there's something to these Eastern philosophies after all.