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Seventeen years after one of the Indian Premier League’s most infamous incidents, the slapgate controversy is back in the spotlight. Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has released an unseen video showing Harbhajan Singh slapping fellow India cricketer S Sreesanth during the inaugural season of the tournament in 2008.
The clip was made public during a podcast hosted by former Australia captain Michael Clarke, where Modi revealed he had captured the incident on his private security camera. At the time, broadcasters had stopped filming after the conclusion of the match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and the then Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings).
In the leaked video, Harbhajan is seen calling over Sreesanth before striking him with the back of his hand. The altercation had triggered headlines across the cricketing world in 2008, with Harbhajan handed a ban and forced to issue a public apology. Until now, however, no actual footage of the slap had been available to the public.
Sreesanth’s reacts strongly to slapgate video
The decision to share the footage has not gone down well with Sreesanth’s family. His wife, Bhuvneshwari, condemned the move in strong words, describing it as “disgusting, heartless and inhuman.” She accused both Modi and Clarke of reviving a painful chapter from the past purely for attention.
“Both Harbhajan and Sreesanth have long moved on from that incident and are living peaceful lives with their families. To drag it out now, after so many years, serves no purpose other than sensationalism,” she said.
The former India pacer, who retired from international cricket in 2021, has not publicly commented on the matter. Harbhajan, meanwhile, is currently active as a commentator and politician. Both men reconciled years ago and were often seen together on cricketing assignments, giving fans the impression that the incident was firmly behind them.
Also WATCH: Lalit Modi unveils private footage of Harbhajan Singh-Sreesanth slapgate incident
Lalit Modi responds to Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s remarks, defends his actions
Facing criticism for reopening an old controversy, Lalit Modi defended himself by insisting he was only responding to a direct question on the podcast. Speaking to IANS, the former IPL commissioner clarified that he had not intended to malign anyone but felt compelled to tell the truth when asked.
“I don’t know why she 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,” Modi explained.
He further emphasized that he never attempted to downplay Harbhajan’s role in the controversy, admitting openly that what the off-spinner did in 2008 was wrong.
The resurfacing of the slapgate video has reignited debates about sportsmanship and player behavior in the IPL’s early years. While the league has grown into a global sporting phenomenon since its launch, controversies like this serve as reminders of the turbulent moments that shaped its history.
For many fans, the leak feels like reopening an old wound, while others see it as an unfiltered look at a dramatic chapter of Indian cricket. Whether the video helps set the record straight or only stirs unnecessary emotions remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the IPL 2008 slapgate has once again grabbed headlines, nearly two decades later.
