KOLKATA, May 1: Former Australian captain Steve Waugh slammed Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh’s penchant for courting controversies, and said he got off lightly with a eleven-match ban following recent slapping row involving pacer Shanthakumaran Sreesanth in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Talking to newsmen while visiting Udayan, a home for children of leprosy patients, which he has been funding for the last eight years, Waugh said Harbhajan’s on-field antics were unacceptable, adding he had paid the price for his indiscretions.

“Harbhajan overstepped the line and has paid the price. He has been controversial on a number of occasions. I think he needs to look at his own game and start playing cricket.

“I think he has learned his lesson now,” Waugh added.

Waugh, who felt Twenty20 game is here to stay, commended the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for drawing new spectators to cricket and helping it test waters in unchartered turfs.

He, however, said Test cricket is supreme and there is pride in playing for one’s country.

—Agencies