The 2008 Indian Premier League (IPL) incident between Harbhajan Singh and S Sreesanth, additionally termed ‘the slapgate’ has been one of the vital controversial cases within the historical past of the cash-rich match. Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi just lately shared an unseen footage from that incident which led to a ban on Harbhajan and an official letter to Sreesanth to fix his methods.
What’s the slapgate controversy?
In 2008, Sreesanth, representing Kings XI Punjab (Now Punjab Kings) was slapped by interim Mumbai Indians skipper Harbhajan with none provocation after Punjab had recorded a 66-run win over Mumbai. The cameras zooming in on Sreesanth’s face which was coated in tears have since been burned into the collective conscience of the cricketing world. That was the one footage accessible for the incident earlier than Modi launched the newest video.
Within the video launched by Modi it was revealed that the gamers have been high-fiving and shaking fingers with one another. When it got here to Sreesanth and Bhajji. Harbhajan simply mentioned to him, ‘Come right here’, and gave him a backhander. Sreesanth would then attempt to cost at Harnhajan whereas Bhajji additionally refused to again down. The scenario was lastly calmed down as different gamers intervened.
Watch the unseen footage right here:
One of many wildest moments in IPL historical past, Unseen footage of the Bhajji–Sreesanth slapgate that by no means been aired#IPL pic.twitter.com/E9Ux8bodOW
— Vishal (@Fanpointofviews) August 29, 2025
The aftermath
The incident led to Harbhajan getting a ban for 11 matches for the rest of that IPL season. He was additionally suspended by the BCCI for five ODIs. A life ban for a repeat offence was additionally threatened whereas Sreesanth was additionally rebuked by the BCCI and requested to fix his methods. Modi additionally mentioned just lately Harbhajan was in peril of going through a lifetime ban if some folks had their methods however finally he was suspended.
This was the identical 12 months when Harbhajan was concerned within the notorious ‘Monkeygate’ controversy as properly the place he was initially banned for 3 Exams for allegedly utilizing a racist time period to Andrew Symonds. Nevertheless, his punishment was later decreased to only a high quality after enchantment.
Episode with Sreesanth’s daughter
In a current chat with Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan opened in regards to the incident, saying that he regretted his actions on that day. He additionally revealed a dialog with Sreesanth’s daughter who refused to speak to him as a result of he had hit her father.
Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi revealed sensational footage of Harbhajan Singh slapping S Sreesanth throughout the IPL 2008 match. (X/BCCI)
“What damage me even after a few years was after I met his daughter and I used to be speaking to her with a variety of love and she or he mentioned, ‘I don’t need to discuss to you. You hit my father.’ My coronary heart was shattered and I used to be on the verge of tears. I used to be asking myself what’s the impression I’ve left on her? She should be pondering of me in a poor gentle, proper? She sees me because the man who hit her father. I felt so dangerous. I nonetheless apologise to his daughter that I can’t do something,” he mentioned.
“I hold telling her, ‘but when there’s something I can do to make you are feeling higher and make you suppose I’m not that sort of individual, please inform me’. I want when she grows up, she doesn’t see me in the identical gentle. And suppose her uncle will at all times be along with her and lengthen any sort of help he can. That’s why I need to take away that chapter.”