The 2008 Indian Premier League (IPL) incident between Harbhajan Singh and S Sreesanth, also termed ‘the slapgate’ has been one of the most controversial instances in the history of the cash-rich tournament. Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi recently shared an unseen footage from that incident which led to a ban on Harbhajan and an official letter to Sreesanth to mend his ways.
What is the slapgate controversy?
In 2008, Sreesanth, representing Kings XI Punjab (Now Punjab Kings) was slapped by interim Mumbai Indians skipper Harbhajan without any provocation after Punjab had recorded a 66-run win over Mumbai. The cameras zooming in on Sreesanth’s face which was covered in tears have since been burned into the collective conscience of the cricketing world. That was the only footage available for the incident before Modi released the latest video.
In the video released by Modi it was revealed that the players were high-fiving and shaking hands with each other. When it came to Sreesanth and Bhajji. Harbhajan just said to him, ‘Come here’, and gave him a backhander. Sreesanth would then try to charge at Harnhajan while Bhajji also refused to back down. The situation was finally calmed down as other players intervened.
Watch the unseen footage here:
One of the wildest moments in IPL history, Unseen footage of the Bhajji–Sreesanth slapgate that never 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 remainder of that IPL season. He was also suspended by the BCCI for 5 ODIs. A life ban for a repeat offence was also threatened while Sreesanth was also rebuked by the BCCI and asked to mend his ways. Modi also said recently Harbhajan was in danger of facing a lifetime ban if some people had their ways but ultimately he was suspended.
This was the same year when Harbhajan was involved in the infamous ‘Monkeygate’ controversy as well where he was initially banned for three Tests for allegedly using a racist term to Andrew Symonds. However, his punishment was later reduced to just a fine after appeal.
Episode with Sreesanth’s daughter
In a recent chat with Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan opened about the incident, saying that he regretted his actions on that day. He also revealed a conversation with Sreesanth’s daughter who refused to talk to him because he had hit her father.
Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi revealed sensational footage of Harbhajan Singh slapping S Sreesanth during the IPL 2008 match. (X/BCCI)
“What hurt me even after many years was when I met his daughter and I was talking to her with a lot of love and she said, ‘I don’t want to talk to you. You hit my father.’ My heart was shattered and I was on the verge of tears. I was asking myself what is the impression I’ve left on her? She must be thinking of me in a poor light, right? She sees me as the guy who hit her father. I felt so bad. I still apologise to his daughter that I can’t do anything,” he said.
“I keep telling her, ‘but if there’s anything I can do to make you feel better and make you think I’m not that kind of person, please tell me’. I wish when she grows up, she doesn’t see me in the same light. And think her uncle will always be with her and extend any kind of support he can. That’s why I want to remove that chapter.”
