Sreesanth-Harbhajan ‘Slapgate’ Video Resurfaces

Seventeen years after the infamous ‘Slapgate’ incident during the inaugural IPL in 2008, unseen footage of Harbhajan Singh slapping S Sreesanth has resurfaced online. Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi shared the clip on Michael Clarke’s Beyond23 Cricket podcast, reigniting old emotions.

Unseen Harbhajan-Sreesanth IPL Slap Video Goes Viral: Families React, Cricket World Stunned!

Sreesanth’s wife, Bhuvneshwari Sreesanth, slammed the release as “heartless and inhuman.” On Instagram, she wrote that both Sreesanth and Harbhajan have moved on, highlighting that they are now fathers and that revisiting the incident only causes unnecessary pain.

“Shame on you @Lalitkmodi and @Michaelclarkeofficial… You try to throw them back into an old wound. Absolutely disgusting, heartless, and inhuman.” – Bhuvneshwari Sreesanth

The incident took place during IPL 2008 when Harbhajan, then interim Mumbai Indians captain, slapped Sreesanth after Kings XI Punjab won the match by 66 runs at Mohali. Harbhajan was subsequently banned for the rest of the tournament and suspended for five ODIs by the BCCI.

Impact on Family and Trauma

Bhuvneshwari added that seeing the incident resurface forces their family to relive a trauma that has long been buried. She emphasized that it affects not just the players but also their children, who now face unwanted questions and shame. Despite the clip’s release, she praised Sreesanth’s dignity and resilience, insisting that no video can diminish his character.

Farokh Engineer Breaks Silence

Legendary cricketer Farokh Engineer, match referee during the 2008 IPL clash, expressed surprise at the footage being made public. He said, “I’m surprised that the footage has emerged after all these years. As match referee for that particular match, I maintained confidentiality throughout and didn’t speak about the contents even to the best of my friends in the media.”

Engineer added, “I had a job to do as match referee, and I believe I did it well with dignified silence. It's a thing of the past, and I’m sure both players have long buried their differences. Like many other things in cricket, it was done in the heat of the moment. Harbhajan is a good friend. We move on.”

Lalit Modi Responds to Criticism

Lalit Modi addressed the backlash from Sreesanth’s family, stating he was only sharing the truth during the podcast. He told IANS, “I don’t know why she (Sreesanth's wife Bhuvneshwari) is getting angry. I was asked a question, and I shared the truth. I can’t do anything about that. I am known to speak the truth. Sree was the victim, and that’s exactly what I said. No one had asked me this question earlier, so when Clarke quipped, I responded.”

Summary Takeaways

  • Unseen 2008 IPL Slapgate footage released by Lalit Modi on Michael Clarke’s podcast.
  • Sreesanth’s wife Bhuvneshwari calls the release “heartless and inhuman.”
  • Farokh Engineer, match referee of the match, maintained confidentiality for 17 years.
  • Harbhajan and Sreesanth have moved on; families affected by resurfacing trauma.
  • Lalit Modi claims he only shared the truth during the podcast interview.