IPL bans Pandey for four matches over breach of guidelines

Mumbai, Feb 4 (PTI) Cracking the whip, the Indian PremierLeague today slapped a four-match ban on young Karnatakabatsman Manish Pandey, who has been signed up by Sahara PuneWarriors for the fourth season of the T20 league, forbreaching its guidelines.

IPL''s Governing Council also stalled what could have beena back-door entry for former India captain Sourav Gangulyafter he was left unsold at the January 8-9 Players'' Auctionin Bangalore at a base price of USD 400,000.

Speaking to reporters after a marathon meeting of theT20 League''s Governing Council, chairman Chirayu Amin saidthat Pandey, through his agent, had haggled with severalfranchises.

"Pandey''s agent was negotiating with a number offranchises," was how Amin put it.

He also said that Ganguly would not be part of IPL-4following the objection raised by a few franchises to arequest from one franchise which was interested in buying theBengal stalwart outside the auction.

IPL rules state that no capped player can be boughtoutside the players'' auction after he has been part of theprocess.

"We had received a request from one franchise (Kochi)that Ganguly should be allowed to be purchased outside theauction and rejected it after objections were raised by someother franchises," Amin said. More PTI SSR VKV MRM