Harbhajan Singh destroys Lalit Modi for making the “slapgate” video public

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh lashed out at IPL founder and former chairman Lalit Modi for making the “slapgate” video public. Harbhajan said that Lalit might have a selfish motive behind leaking the video, adding that people are being reminded about an incident that had long been forgotten.

Modi released the long-unseen footage of the infamous 2008 IPL “slapgate” incident on Michael Clarke’s Beyond23 Cricket Podcast on August 29. The video showed Harbhajan Singh slapping Sreesanth during a match in Mohali. In 2008, the footage between Harbhajan and Sreesanth was not shown on television.

Lalit Modi And Michael Clarke Release The “Slapgate” Video From IPL 2008

The unseen footage of the “slapgate” incident shows Harbhajan Singh slapping S. Sreesanth after a match between the Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). The altercation occurred during post-match handshakes.

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Sreesanth tried to charge at Harbhajan before players from both sides stepped in to defuse the situation. Harbhajan was banned for the remainder of the season and has publicly apologized for the incident on multiple occasions.

With the clip made public 17 years later, Sreesanth’s wife, Bhuvneshwari, criticized Lalit Modi and Michael Clarke for reviving an episode she felt should have remained in the past.

Sreesanth played 90 matches for India in his international cricketing career. He picked up 169 wickets across formats. The Kerala pacer was also part of the squads that clinched the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.

The Way the Video Has Been Leaked, It's Wrong - Harbhajan Singh

During the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, Harbhajan Singh expressed disappointment over the leak, calling it wrong. He admitted that mistakes were made in the heat of the moment and that the players involved still feel ashamed about the incident.

Speaking to Instant Bollywood, he said, “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.”

“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,” he added.

I Have Said On Many Occasions That I Made A Mistake - Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh reiterated his apology for the mistake. The cricketer turned commentator emphasized that it was an unfortunate event that he deeply regrets.

“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.

Earlier on a podcast hosted by Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan stated he would never have slapped Sreesanth if he could turn back time. He also mentioned that over the years, he has had a friendly relationship with the former pacer.

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