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Harbhajan Singh provides a backhand slap to S Sreesanth throughout the notorious IPL 2008 slap-gate event– video launched after 17 years (Credit: Lalit Modi/Podcast ).

Seventeen years after the notorious IPL run-in, the long-hidden video of Harbhajan Singh slapping S Sreesanth has actually lastly emerged. Previous IPL commissioner Lalit Modi launched the video footage throughout Michael Clarke’s Beyond23 podcast, offering cricket fans an extraordinary take a look at among the earliest debates in Indian Premier

League history.

One of the wildest minutes in IPL history, Unseen video of the Bhajji– Sreesanth slapgate that never ever been aired #IPL pic.twitter.com/E9Ux8bodOW

— Vishal(@Fanpointofviews) August 29, 2025

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The 2008 event, typically described as IPL Slap-Gate, took place after a Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) vs Mumbai Indians clash in the inaugural IPL season. The clash in between 2 India colleagues left the cricketing world shocked and has actually stayed among the most talked-about on-field conflicts in IPL history.

The Unseen Footage: Harbhajan’s Backhanded Slap

The freshly launched clip reveals Harbhajan Singh approaching Sreesanth throughout post-match handshakes and providing a backhanded slap. Lalit Modi stated, “The video game was over, and the video cameras were shut down. Just one security video camera caught the minute. Bhajji simply stated to him, ‘Come here,’ and provided him a backhander.”

The visual of Sreesanth in tears after the slap ended up being renowned, distributing extensively in IPL conversations and social networks arguments, despite the fact that the complete video had actually stayed hidden for 17 years. The occurrence almost intensified into a physical brawl, with Sreesanth charging at Harbhajan. Colleagues Irfan Pathan and Mahela Jayawardene stepped in, avoiding the circumstance from spiraling even more.

What Triggered the Controversy?

According to reports, the run-in was set off by Sreesanth’s intriguing habits on the field. After MI’s 66-run defeat to Punjab, Sreesanth smiled and stated ‘difficult luck’ to Harbhajan’s captain, provoking the senior spinner. Extra on-field stress, consisting of Sreesanth’s termination of Shaun Pollock and exchanges with Robin Uthappa, sustained Harbhajan’s anger.

The event, coming simply months after Harbhajan’s participation in the Monkeygate scandal, contributed to the intense environment of IPL 2008. Following the run-in, BCCI suspended Harbhajan for the staying 8 video games of the season, while some authorities even promoted for a life time restriction.

Harbhajan Singh’s Regret and Reflection

Years later on, Harbhajan Singh openly reviewed the occurrence in a chat with R Ashwin on YouTube. He confessed, “One thing I ‘d wish to alter in my life is that occurrence with Sreesanth. What transpired was incorrect, and I should not have actually done it. I said sorry 200 times.”

Harbhajan likewise exposed the psychological effect of conference Sreesanth’s child, who revealed her displeasure: “I do not wish to speak to you. You struck my dad.” The veteran spinner confessed this encounter “shattered” him and encouraged him to apologize, stressing that he hoped she would not evaluate him exclusively by that minute.

Tradition of the IPL Slap-Gate Incident

The 2008 Harbhajan-Sreesanth occurrence stays among the earliest and most notorious debates in Indian Premier League history. In spite of the seriousness of the run-in, both gamers ultimately fixed up, ending up being buddies off the field. The freshly launched video uses cricket fans a plain pointer of the strength and pressures of IPL competitors.

Harbhajan’s honest reflections and Lalit Modi’s discovery of the video supply not just historic insight however likewise highlight the human side of expert athletes, demonstrating how errors, competitions, and feelings converge in high-stakes sports.

For cricket lovers, this long-awaited video is more than a blast from the past– it’s an opportunity to review IPL history, evaluate gamer characteristics, and comprehend the pressures of India’s premier T20 competition.