Yuzvendra Chahal’s allegations of physical harassment by a Mumbai Indians teammate during his early days in the IPL has caused a furore with former India head coach Ravi Shastri suggesting that the offender be never allowed to “come near a cricket field”.

Chahal said he had a close shave during a post-match IPL party in 2013 when a drunk player dangled him from the 15th-floor balcony of a Bangalore hotel.

“No laughing matter at all,” Shastri told ESPNcricinfo. “I do not know who the person involved is, he was not in a conscious state of mind. If that is the case, then it is a big worry. Someone’s life is at risk, some people might think it is funny but for me, it is not.”

“It shows the person who is trying to do it is in a state which is not appropriate. When you are in such a state trying something like that, the chances of mistakes are even more. It is not acceptable at all.”

Chahal, 31, one of the country’s top leg-spinners and who has played under Shastri in the Indian team, made the revelation during a chat with Ravichandran Ashwin, the video of which has been shared by Rajasthan Royals, their current team.

“It is the first time I am hearing such a drastic thing. If such an incident happens today, a life ban for that person involved and send that person to a rehab centre as quickly as possible.

“Life ban, better not come near to a cricket field then he will realise how funny is it or not funny,” Shastri said.

Chahal said not many people knew about his near-death experience as he had kept it to himself.

“You do not want an unfortunate incident for you to wake up, if something like that happens, you have to step up and tell the people concerned,” said Shastri.