Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has once again addressed the infamous IPL 2008 slap incident involving Sreesanth, admitting his mistake and stating that he is only human. The controversy, which remains one of the most talked-about moments in IPL history, resurfaced after a fan tried to provoke Harbhajan on social media.
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The 2008 Incident: A Major IPL Controversy
The incident took place during a match between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in the inaugural IPL season. Harbhajan, who was captaining MI in the absence of Sachin Tendulkar, lost his temper and slapped Punjab pacer Sreesanth after the game. Moments later, Sreesanth was seen in tears on live television, consoled by his teammates.
Although the exact reason behind the altercation remains unclear, reports suggested that Sreesanth had provoked Harbhajan with some remarks on the field. The fallout was immediate—Harbhajan was banned for the remainder of the IPL season, handed an 11-match suspension, and forfeited his match fees after a disciplinary hearing.
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Harbhajan’s Recent Response to a Fan
Over the years, both players have reconciled, and Harbhajan has publicly apologized multiple times. However, the controversy resurfaced when a fan recently shared a clip of Sreesanth crying after the incident and tagged Harbhajan on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Harbhajan, clearly annoyed, responded:
“This wasn’t right, bhai. It was my mistake. Shouldn’t have done this. But galti hui… Insaan hu, bhagwaan nahi.”
This latest admission once again highlights Harbhajan’s regret over the incident and his acknowledgment that emotions got the better of him in the heat of the moment.
Harbhajan & Sreesanth: From Rivals to Reconciliation
Despite the ugly episode, both cricketers have since moved on. Harbhajan has repeatedly apologized to Sreesanth over the years, and the two have even appeared together on television shows, putting the past behind them.
While the slapgate incident remains a dark chapter in IPL history, Harbhajan’s continued regret and acceptance of his mistake show his growth both as a cricketer and as a person.
