Gautam Gambhir gets suspended 4-match ban from first class cricket over altercation with Delhi coach

Veteran Indian opener Gautam Gambhir was on Saturday handed a "suspended 4-match ban" from first-class cricket for his ugly confrontation with Delhi Ranji coach KP Bhaskar earlier this year.

An inquiry committee constituted by Delhi and Districts Cricket Association administrator Justice Vikramjit Sen, comprising Chairman Madan Lal, Rajendra R Rathore and advocate Soni Singh found Gambhir guilty and termed the batsman’s behavior as “serious” and “inappropriate”.

However, Sen decided to “suspend the punishment for a period of two years ending on 30^th March 2019” conditional on Gambhir accepting this order and not committing any similar transgressions.

“Having learnt of an incident, which occurred when the team from DDCA was in Orissa, in which an altercation between Gautam Gambhir and Bhasker Pillai had transpired, and pursuant to a complaint received from Pillai, I met both persons on 10^th March 2017. The matter could not be amicably and satisfactorily resolved.

 “The Committee members feel the necessity of deterrent effect of penalties on account of such seriously inappropriate behavior to inculcate discipline within the team and in the interest of the game of cricket. Having such considerations and findings as above in mind, the Committee Members recommend that Mr Gautam Gambhir should not be allowed to play in 4 (four) First Class matches of the Delhi team at the start of the next season,  i.e. 2017-18 on account of his deliberate and pre-meditated inappropriate behaviour,” he said.

Bhaskar and Gambhir had a heated altercation after Delhi’s campaign ended in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Bhubaneswar earlier this year with allegations of former India captain abusing the coach, something he has categorically denied.