Lalit Modi Releases Unseen Footage of IPL 2008 ‘Slapgate’ Incident Between Harbhajan Singh and S Sreesanth

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has grown from its inaugural edition in 2008 into the richest and one of the most popular cricket leagues globally. However, an incident from the very first season remained concealed for years. During a match between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab in 2008, Mumbai’s Harbhajan Singh slapped Punjab pacer S Sreesanth, a controversy that became famously known as “slapgate.” Recently, Lalit Modi, the IPL founder and former chairman, released previously unseen footage of the moment, shedding new light on the incident.

In an interview with Australian cricket legend Michael Clarke on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, Lalit Modi revealed that the footage was captured by a security camera after the match had ended and the regular broadcast cameras were off. Modi shared, “Bhajji just gives him a back-hander,” showing the raw clip that fans had not seen before. Modi explained that the footage was withheld for almost 18 years, making its release a rare glimpse into one of IPL’s darkest moments.

Harbhajan Singh has openly expressed regret over the slapgate incident, calling it the one moment he wishes he could erase from his career. In a candid conversation with fellow cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan said, “What transpired was wrong, and I shouldn’t have done what I did. I apologised 200 times.” He further shared the emotional pain of the incident, especially upon meeting Sreesanth’s daughter, who still finds it hard to forgive him, saying she doesn’t want to talk to him because of what happened.

This revelation and Harbhajan’s heartfelt apology remind cricket fans of the importance of sportsmanship and forgiveness. While IPL continues to thrill millions globally, the “slapgate” incident remains a poignant reminder of the human emotions behind the game, the weight of actions taken on and off the field, and the potential for reconciliation over time.