‘I’m Still Your Brother’: Harbhajan Regrets Slapping Sreesanth

More than a decade after the infamous ‘slapgate’ of IPL 2008, Bhajji apologises to his former India teammate.

File picture of S Sreesanth and Harbhajan Singh at an India practice session.

(Photo: Reuters)

It’s been over a decade since ‘slap-gate’, and pictures of a teary-eyed S Sreesanth are still fresh in the memory of Indian cricket followers.

It was the opening season of the IPL, and the former India pacer, representing Kings XI Punjab, incensed Harbhajan Singh – then captain of Mumbai Indians – with his characteristically aggressive send-offs to the MI batsmen.

Harbhajan’s response is part of infamous folklore: a slap to the face of his India teammate, followed by being slapped himself with an 11-match IPL ban.

Nearly 11 years later, the ‘Turbanator’ has finally extended an apology, noting that if he could rectify one mistake from his life, this would be it.

“Whatever happened with Sreesanth.. me and him on the field… a lot of people talk about that incident now. If I have to go back and rectify something in my life, I would correct that. I shouldn’t have done that.”

Harbhajan Singh

The former India spinner’s comments were made in an interview to Behindwoods Air, where the 38-year-old spoke at length about the regret he still holds about the incident.

Stressing that his action was uncalled for, Harbhajan praised Sreesanth as a “top guy” and went on to add he still considers his former national teammate a brother.

“That was a mistake and I am sorry about that. It shouldn’t have happened. Sreesanth is a top guy and he had so much of skill. My best wishes to Sreesanth and his wife and to their children. No matter what people say, I am still your brother.”

Harbhajan Singh

Video Source: Behindwoods Air