Just when it was seen Harbhajan Singh and It’s Sreesanth after leaving the infamous IPL 2008 controversy, the controversy is back.Sreesanth recently criticized Harbhajan, asking if the former Indian spinner had the “guts” to enter the ring with him. The comment comes amid a fresh controversy surrounding the recent ad campaign which Sreesanth believes was a slapgate incident.
From teammates to arguments
The origin of this controversy dates back to the inaugural season of IPL in 2008. After a match between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab in Mohali, Harbhajan hit Sreesanth, leading to one of the biggest brawls in the history of Indian cricket.The incident led to punishment for Harbhajan, while Sreesanth’s tearful pictures became one of the most famous moments of the tournament.Despite the controversy, the duo continued to play in India and were part of the teams that won the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.
A reconciliation that seemed real
Over the years, Harbhajan has publicly expressed his grief over the incident, while Sreesanth was seen to be going through the motions.In 2023, Sreesanth described Harbhajan as his elder brother, saying they had “always been friends” and that the argument had spilled over. He also thanked Harbhajan for helping him with explanatory advice.For many, it seemed that the relationship was fixed.
Why is this story re-opened?
The recent fallout seems to stem from Sreesanth’s criticism of Harbhajan’s commercials, which he believes are all about the slapgate controversy.Sreesanth said that Harbhajan benefited from the money from the ad and said that he no longer shares a relationship with him. He has also revealed that he has banned Harbhajan.The controversy is no longer about the original event itself, but about how the event continues to be repeated years later.
Family effects
The feud has extended to two former players. Harbhajan had earlier revealed that he was very emotional when he met Sreesanth’s daughter and allegedly told her that he did not want to talk to her because she had beaten up her father. The incident showed how the moment from 2008 continued years later, not only for the players but also for their families.
Old wounds were reopened
Harbhajan has repeatedly apologized for the incident, but Sreesanth’s recent comments show that the controversy is still going strong.Her challenge to Harbhajan appears to be a response to what she sees as the continued exploitation of people in a situation that has deeply affected her and her family.Almost 18 years after the most controversial period in Indian cricket, the relationship between Harbhajan and Sreesanth has come to the fore again.
