Old wounds reopened after Lalit Modi reveals unseen footage
One of the IPL’s darkest chapters — the 2008 “slapgate” altercation between Harbhajan Singh and S. Sreesanth — has returned to the spotlight nearly two decades later after former IPL chairman Lalit Modi unveiled never-before-seen footage.
Modi shared the video while appearing on former Australian captain Michael Clarke’s Beyond23 podcast, sparking fresh outrage. The clip shows Harbhajan slapping Sreesanth during post-match handshakes following a clash between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab.
According to multiple reports, the footage — long hidden from public view — has revived painful memories of an incident that once rocked Indian cricket and led to Harbhajan’s 11-match suspension.
Harbhajan: ‘They might have a selfish motive’
Harbhajan Singh, who was attending Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations when asked about the leak, condemned the timing and intent behind releasing the footage.
“The way the video has been leaked, it’s wrong. It shouldn’t have happened. They might have a selfish motive behind it. Something that happened 18 years ago, people have forgotten, and they are reminding people about it.” — Harbhajan Singh speaking to Instant Bollywood
The veteran spinner once again admitted fault for his actions, reiterating his remorse.
“I feel bad for whatever happened. We were playing, and everyone had things going on in their mind. Mistakes happened, and we do feel ashamed about it,” Harbhajan added.
“Yes, the video has gone viral. It was an unfortunate incident, and I have said on many occasions that I made a mistake. Humans make mistakes, and I did one too. I have requested Lord Ganesh to forgive me if I make a mistake again. Mistakes happen,” said Harbhajan.
Harbhajan and Sreesanth have since reconciled, but the resurfacing of the clip has thrust the once-buried episode back into headlines.
Match referee Engineer: ‘I did my job with dignified silence’
The controversy has also drawn a response from Farokh Engineer, who was the match referee that day. Breaking his 18-year silence, the former India wicketkeeper said he had deliberately chosen discretion at the time.
“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 of the incident even to the best of my friends in the media,” Farokh Engineer told Mid-Day.
Engineer stressed that the incident should remain in the past, highlighting that both players have long moved on.
“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,” he added.
A chapter Indian cricket wants to forget
For years, the slapgate saga remained confined to anecdotes and apologies. But Modi’s decision to release the clip has stirred up old wounds — raising questions about motives while forcing players and officials to revisit a painful moment in IPL history.
For Harbhajan, it was a career-low he has repeatedly acknowledged. For Engineer, it was an episode best handled privately. And for Indian cricket, it remains a reminder of how a single incident can overshadow the spirit of the game.
