Seventeen years after one of the most notorious events of the Indian Premier League, the Slapgate controversy is in the news. Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi Showing an unseen video Harbhajan Singh Slap Felling Fellow India Cricketer S sreesanth During the inauguration season of the tournament in 2008.
The clip was made public during a podcast organized by the former Australia captain Michael ClarkeWhere Modi revealed that he had captured the incident on his personal security camera. At that time, broadcasters stopped filming after the end of the match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and the then Kings Xi Punjab (now Punjab Kings).
In the leaked video, Harbhajan is called on Sreesanth before strike from behind his hand. In 2008, this change in the cricket world made headlines, Harbhajan submitted a ban and forced to issue a public apology. So far, however, no actual footage of slaps was available to the public.
Sreesanth’s slapgate reacts strongly to video
The decision to share the footage has not gone down well with Sreesanth’s family. His wife, Bhuvaneshwari condemned the move in strong words, described it “Disgusting, heartless and inhuman.” He accused both Modi and Clarke of reviving a painful chapter from the past.
“Both Harbhajan and Sreesanth have gone from that incident for a long time and have been living a peaceful life with their families. To pull it out now, after so many years, there is no other purpose other than sensational,” He said.
Passer of former India, who retired from international cricket in 2021, has not publicly commented on the matter. Meanwhile, Harbhajan is currently active as a commentator and politician. The two men had reconciled years ago and were often seen together on cricketing assignments, making fans to feel that the incident was behind them.
See also: Lalit Modi unveiled private footage of Harbhajan Singh-Sesant Slapgate incident
Lalit Modi responded to Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s comments, defends his actions
Facing criticism to reopen an old dispute, Lalit Modi Emphasizing himself to defend himself that he was only answering a direct question on the podcast. Speaking to IANS, the former Commissioner of IPL clarified that he had not intended to defeat anyone, but felt forced to tell the truth when asked.
“I don’t know why she is getting angry. I was asked a question, and I shared the truth. I can’t do anything about her. I am known to tell the truth. Mrs was the victim, and that’s what I said. No one had asked me before, so when Clarke took a pinch, I replied,” Modi explained.
He further emphasized that he never attempted to reduce the role of Harbhajan in the controversy, admitting that what the off-spinner did in 2008 was wrong.
The resurrection of the slapgate video has relied on the debate about sportsmanship and player’s behavior in the early years of IPL. While the leagues have increased in the occurrence of a global game since its launch, such disputes work as a reminiscent of disturbed moments that shape its history.
For many fans, leakage looks like reopening an old wound, while others see it as an unfliest look on an dramatic chapter of Indian cricket. What helps the video record to set straight or only see unnecessary emotions, but one thing is certain: one thing is certain: IPL 2008 Slapgate has once again caught the headlines, about two decades later.
