Pandey banned for four matches

Manish Pandey, India's first centurion in the Indian Premier League (IPL), was handed a four-match ban following a complaint by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) that he demanded more salary than his prescribed limit from teams. HT reports.

Manish Pandey, India's first centurion in the Indian Premier League (IPL), was handed a four-match ban following a complaint by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) that he demanded more salary than his prescribed limit from teams. The only saving grace for the youngster is he will be allowed to play for the Sahara Pune Warriors, his preferred team.

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With the questionable IPL rules allowing Pandey, who made his first-class debut for Karnataka in 2008, to be paid a maximum of Rs 20 lakh, RCB, the team he represented in IPL's second and third editions, offered him a contract for that sum.

The remuneration of Pandey, like many other domestic stars, was affected by the inexplicable rule of a salary cap based on the player's first-class experience. Since he was dealing with multiple teams through his agent, RCB alleged that Pandey was negotiating for the best possible deal.

As a result, the IPL governing council, which deliberated on the complaint and investigations in its meeting here on Friday, decided to punish Pandey. "Based on the complaints from franchisees and after a meeting with the player, IPL Governing Council has imposed a four-match ban on Pandey," a BCCI statement said. "He can't play the first four matches. As desired by him, he is permitted to play for the Pune franchise." However, it was learnt that Pandey was punished despite a lack of clear evidence. "Just because there was a complaint, the council thought it should set a precedent by taking some action against the player," an IPL insider said, preferring anonymity. "The player was plain unlucky since he tried to indulge in earning what he deserves."

Though the rules did not allow an unsold player at the auction to be picked by any other team except as a replacement, Kochi had requested for Ganguly to be signed.

Following the request, IPL's chief operating officer Sundar Raman had asked all the teams' views.

Following an official protest lodged by the Deccan Chargers, Rajasthan Royals and RCB, the governing council decided to reject Kochi's plea.