Mumbai: Former Indian cricket star Harbhajan Singh has unleashed a fiery tirade against ex-IPL chairman Lalit Modi for resurfacing an 18-year-old video of the infamous ‘Slapgate’ incident involving him and teammate S Sreesanth.
The grainy clip, shared by Modi on social media, captures a heated moment from the 2008 IPL season where Harbhajan, then with Mumbai Indians, appeared to slap Sreesanth after a match against Kings XI Punjab.
The action has rekindled a controversy that Harbhajan believed had long since faded away.
Speaking to IANS, an incensed Harbhajan questioned Modi’s motives: “I can’t fathom why this video was made public now. What happened back then was wrong — I’ve apologised for it multiple times. As a player, I shouldn’t have done it, but we learn from mistakes, and I’ve never repeated it.”
The veteran spinner, who faced a five-match ban for the incident, expressed dismay at the timing. “Eighteen years later, dragging this matter up serves no purpose. Was he under someone’s influence or just stirring trouble? Such videos should stay buried.”
The 2008 episode, a low point in IPL’s debut season, saw Harbhajan and Sreesanth reconcile after public apologies and team mediation. Harbhajan’s candid reflection underscores his growth: “People learn from errors; I did and moved on.” Fans, however, are divided — some back Bhajji’s outrage, while others speculate Modi’s post aims to settle old scores or grab headlines.