For nearly two decades, the IPL’s most infamous on-field moment was a story told in fragments and second-hand accounts. Fans remember the live broadcast cutting away, only to return to the shocking sight of a young S. Sreesanth in tears. The incident, known simply as “Slapgate,” between Indian teammates Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth, has been a part of cricket lore ever since. Now, the mystery is officially over.
After 17 years in the archives, former IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi has finally released the video footage on former Australian captain Michael Clarke’s ‘Beyond23’ podcast. According to Modi, while the live cameras were shut off, one of his personal security cameras was still rolling.
The footage, as described by Modi, is far from pleasant. It shows the post-match handshakes after the Punjab Kings defeated the Mumbai Indians. As the players exchange greetings, Harbhajan grabs Sreesanth, says, “Come here,” and delivers a back-handed slap. The video shows Sreesanth immediately charging back at Harbhajan before being restrained by Irfan Pathan and Mahela Jayawardene. Even then, Harbhajan continued to show his anger, gesturing outside the ground, as if challenging Sreesanth to a fight.
What led to such a shocking moment between two national teammates? Reports from the time suggest the trigger was Sreesanth’s behavior after Mumbai’s 66-run loss. He reportedly walked up to Harbhajan, the MI captain at the time, with a grin on his face and said “hard luck.” That, combined with a few on-field exchanges, was apparently enough to set the volatile situation off.
While Harbhajan later apologized in the dressing room, the consequences were severe. He was suspended by the BCCI for the rest of the season. At the time, even his close friend and then-captain Yuvraj Singh condemned the actions as “ugly and unacceptable.”
Years later, the incident still weighs heavily on Harbhajan. In a recent podcast, the 45-year-old candidly expressed that it’s the one thing in his life he wishes he could change. He revealed a heartbreaking moment where he met Sreesanth’s daughter, who told him, “I don’t want to talk to you. You hit my father.” The words, he said, “shattered” his heart. He continues to apologize, hoping to change the impression he left.
With the release of the video, a new generation of fans and those who witnessed the incident can now see the full story for themselves, solidifying its place as one of the most defining moments in IPL history.