Harbhajan Slams Lalit Modi For Releasing IPL Slapgate Video: 'Maybe Under The Influence...'

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh criticized former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi for releasing a video clip of the infamous 2008 slapgate incident involving him and pacer

S. Sreesanth. Harbhajan suggested that Modi “must have been under the influence” when he decided to share the footage.

On August 29, Modi, who was the IPL chairman and commissioner at the time, shared the clip from IPL 2008 during an interview with former Australian captain Michael Clarke on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.

“I didn’t understand why there was a need to make it public. Everyone thinks differently. Whatever happened was wrong, and I have already apologised for it. What happened between me and Sreesanth at that time was not right. As a sportsman, I don’t think I should have done that. People learn from their mistakes, and if I had enough understanding back then, I wouldn’t have done it,” Harbhajan was quoted as saying to IANS.

When Harbhajan Slapped Sreesanth?

According to the video shared by Modi, then-Mumbai Indians captain Harbhajan struck Sreesanth with a backhanded slap under the eye during the post-match handshake. The incident provoked an angry reaction from Sreesanth, who charged toward Harbhajan, prompting a similar response from the spinner. A physical brawl was narrowly avoided as Irfan Pathan and Mahela Jayawardene quickly intervened to separate the two players.

The shocking incident caught the media’s attention and sparked widespread criticism of Harbhajan’s behaviour. He later apologised for the physical altercation, which led to a disciplinary hearing. Harbhajan was banned for the rest of the season, and the BCCI later banned him for five ODIs for slapping Sreesanth.

Why Relesae The Video?

The veteran off-spinner further remarked that, had he been in Modi’s position, he would have ensured that such footage was never released, given the sensitivity of the matter.

“Whatever happened 18 years ago, bringing it up again in public — I really don’t understand the motive behind that. I feel it would have been better if it hadn’t come out because there was no need for it. I don’t know what they were thinking when they released the video — maybe they were under the influence or just messing around. If I were in their place, I wouldn’t have let any such video come out like that,” he added.

(With inputs from IANS)