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The inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008 wasn’t just about cricketing innovation and star power—it was also marred by controversy. The most infamous moment came when Mumbai Indians skipper Harbhajan Singh slapped Kings XI Punjab pacer Sreesanth after a match in Mohali. The incident went viral, leaving Sreesanth in tears on live television. As a result, Harbhajan was banned for the remainder of the tournament.
A Friendship Rekindled but Scars Remain
Seventeen years later, both cricketers have moved past the controversy and share a cordial relationship. Harbhajan has publicly apologised to Sreesanth on several occasions, expressing deep regret for his actions. Yet, the memories of that night continue to haunt him.
Sreesanth’s Daughter’s Innocent Words Broke His Heart
In a candid conversation with Ravichandran Ashwin on Kutti Stories with Ash, Harbhajan revealed a poignant moment that still troubles him. “One thing I’d want to change in my life is that incident with Sreesanth. It was wrong, and I shouldn’t have done it. I have apologised countless times,” he said.
Harbhajan then shared how a meeting with Sreesanth’s daughter years later left him shattered. “I was speaking to her with love, but she said, ‘I don’t want to talk to you. You hit my father.’ My heart broke. She must think of me in such a poor light. Even today, I apologise to her in my heart because I can’t undo it.”
Bond Beyond Controversy
Both Harbhajan and Sreesanth were part of India’s victorious 2011 World Cup squad, proving that their bond endured despite past bitterness. However, for Harbhajan, the ‘Slapgate’ remains a painful chapter he wishes he could erase.
