Bhajji reacted in heat of the moment: Sekar

Mumbai:

Mumbai Indians on Monday threw its weight behind Harbhajan Singh, who has been slapped a USD 15,000 fine for swearing at Deccan Chargers batsman T Suman, and said it was in the heat of the moment that the volatile spinner behaved in such a way.

"It was a heat-of-the-moment act. We needed a wicket at that stage and Harbhajan is always high on adrenaline. Let's not make an issue of it," said the IPL franchise's director (cricket) T A Sekar here on Monday.

The India spin spearhead was fined USD 15,000 by the IPL authorities for swearing at Suman after foxing him with a high full toss that was patted back tamely to the bowler on the full by Suman.

"Harbhajan pleaded guilty to a Level 1 offence (Article 2.1.4), which relates to 'excessively audible or repetitious swearing'," the IPL management said in a statement.

"As a result, Match Referee Gundappa Viswanath imposed a penalty of USD 15,000," the statement added.

Sekar said his team respected the IPL and the fine would be paid but he was not clear whether the franchise would pick up the tab or the errant player for the breach.

Harbhajan, on his part, explained after the match last night that he was pumped up after sending Suman back as the same batsman had sent him soaring for successive sixes in last season's IPL tie held in South Africa.

Sekar said the manner in which Tendulkar has played proper cricket shots even in the frenetic T20 format was worth noting.

"Sachin has played the anchoring role extremely well and he has played terrific cricket shots to show T20 is not just a slog fest. He has paced his innings very well," said the former India and Tamil Nadu pace bowler.

Sekar also gave kudos to domestic players Saurabh Tiwary, Ambati Rayudu and R Satish for performing well in the midddle order and said these players along with West Indians Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard gave it a solid look.

He also defended sending in Pollard way down the order by saying he was the one player who was capable of playing bit shots against the pace bowlers in the end overs.

"We know that he is a very good player against the medium pacers and fast bowlers and the only one who can do the job late in the order. He comes in at the same position for the West Indies too," Sekar said.

Sekar said the team was comfortable both in setting a target or chasing it and it was captain Tendulkar who decides on the course to follow on a particular day if he wins the toss.