Bhandari, a prominent Sydney businessman, was found guilty on Thursday night of making "avoidable hand contact to the head" of an opponent while playing for University of NSW against Manly in a second-grade match.

There was widespread disbelief in grade-cricket circles on Friday with many surprised Bhandari had not been given a heavier penalty. The mother of Tom Kaye, the bowler struck by Bhandari, took to social media to label the sanction a "farce".

The Sydney Cricket Association earlier this season suspended two players for one game each for dissent and equipment abuse after early guilty pleas.

Fairfax Media understands the umpire's view that there was no malice in Bhandari's action was taken into account by the SCA judicial committee.

Bhandari pleaded not guilty to the standard charge of "engaging in disorderly or improper conduct or behaviour" after being reported by both umpires.

The incident occurred after Bhandari was dismissed for a duck by paceman Kaye on Saturday.

The judiciary ruled against Bhandari after finding that he had "made avoidable hand contact to the head of Manly fast bowler Tom Kaye when he was leaving the field after being dismissed by Kaye".

He has 14 days to appeal to the CNSW Board's independent appeals sub-committee.

It is unclear what ramifications the verdict will have on Bhandari's position on the CNSW board.

Bhandari, who was elected in September last year, stood down from the board on Wednesday, a day after Fairfax Media revealed he was under investigation.

"The Cricket NSW Board will consider what if any further action is appropriate once the process is completed," a CNSW statement said on Friday.

Bhandari is the second senior office bearer at CNSW to land in hot water this season. Chief executive Andrew Jones was handed a suspended $3000 fine by Cricket Australia for making comments detrimental to cricket. He had called for the firing of officials who decided to abandon a one-day game between the Blues and Victoria due to an unsafe wicket.

Jones was fined $315 and docked four demerit points for texting while stationary in traffic in April. Transport for NSW, which is a major sponsor of CNSW, described the offence as a "serious breach" of its contract but continued their long-standing partnership.

Bhandari is a prominent Sydney businessman who also sits on the board of Venues NSW. His wealth was estimated at $29 million in the 2016 BRW Young Rich list, in which he ranked 87th.

Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2008, Bhandari made much of his fortune developing and selling high-speed derivatives trading software.

Bhandari has played at UNSW for 18 years and also served the club as chairman of selectors and president.

He is listed on the club's website as being responsible for fee collection.