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Former cricketer S Sreesanth shared an emotional moment involving his daughter and Harbhajan Singh, reflecting on the 2008 IPL incident.
Sreesanth and Harbhajan’s slapgate incident happened in IPL 2008
Former Indian fast bowler S Sreesanth recently shared an emotional moment involving his daughter and former teammate Harbhajan Singh, reflecting on the infamous 2008 IPL incident where Harbhajan had slapped him. Although the players have moved past the controversy, it has left a lasting impact, especially on Sreesanth’s family.
The pacer revealed that his daughter refused to greet Harbhajan when introduced, highlighting how the incident remains in public memory.
Recalling the incident, on Padamjeet Sehrawat’s YouTube channel, Sreesanth said: “When I told my daughter, ‘This is Bhajji pa, he’s played with me’, she straight away said, ‘No, no, I won’t say hi’. I couldn’t understand why. In school, there may have been the odd conversation about it. There are different stories doing the rounds. Then we tried explaining, but she said she still won’t talk to him.”
“The next day, when the legends tournament was going on, we explained that he was like our elder brother. I don’t think Bhajji pa did that deliberately. It happened in the spur of the moment. It was just a learning experience for both of us,” he added.
The altercation occurred during the first edition of the IPL after a clash between Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians, with images of Sreesanth crying on the field going viral.
What Did Harbhajan Say?
Over the years, both players have reconciled, with Harbhajan admitting regret. Speaking recently on “Kutti Stories with Ash”, Harbhajan said, “I want to remove that incident from my career. What transpired was wrong and I shouldn’t have done what I did. I apologised 200 times… Yes, in that game we were opponents. But it shouldn’t have gone to that level where we behave in such a manner… The only fault of his was that he provoked me, but that’s okay actually. However, what I did was not okay. I said, ‘Sorry’.”
“What hurt me even after many years was when I met his daughter and I was talking to her with a lot of love and she said, ‘I don’t want to talk to you. You hit my father.’ My heart was shattered and I was on the verge of tears. I was asking myself what is the impression I’ve left on her? She must be thinking of me in a poor light, right? She sees me as the guy who hit her father. I felt so bad. I still apologise to his daughter that I can’t do anything. I keep telling her, ‘but if there’s anything I can do to make you feel better and make you think I’m not that kind of person, please tell me’. I wish when she grows up, she doesn’t see me in the same light. And think her uncle will always be with her and extend any kind of support he can. That’s why I want to remove that chapter,” Harbhajan added.
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha… Read More
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