‘My heart was shattered and I was on verge of tears’: Harbhajan Singh reveals heartbreaking words from Sreesanth’s daughter on IPL slapgate

Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has once again opened up about the infamous IPL 2008 slapgate incident with Sreesanth. Speaking on Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube show Kutti Stories with Ash, Harbhajan said if there’s one thing he could change in his life, it would be that moment.

The IPL 2008 slapping incident remains one of the most controversial moments in Indian cricket. Harbhajan, who was captaining Mumbai Indians in the absence of regular skipper Sachin Tendulkar, had a heated altercation with Punjab Kings (formerly King XI Punjab) pacer Sreesanth and ended up slapping him.

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Harbhajan on slapping Sreesanth and his daughter’s reaction

When asked about this infamous scandal during the talk show with Ashwin, Harbhajan said that it remains his biggest mistake to date and also shared an emotional story involving Sreesanth’s daughter. Harbhajan was banned for the remainder of the IPL season due to the controversy.

“One thing I’d want to change in my life is that incident with Sreesanth. It was wrong, and I shouldn’t have done it. I have apologised hundreds of times. Even years after it, I keep saying sorry whenever I get a chance. It was a mistake,” Harbhajan said.

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“I met his daughter and spoke to her with love, but 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 kept thinking what impression I left on her. She must see me only as the person who hit her father. I still feel bad about it and apologise to her,” Harbhajan added.

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Harbhajan on being jealous of Ashwin

Harbhajan also addressed rumours about him being jealous of Ashwin, who had emerged as India’s next big spinner during the latter stages of his career. When Ashwin debuted in 2011, Harbhajan was already an established senior bowler, but Ashwin soon became India’s leading spinner.

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“This whole jealousy bit, before I allow you to answer that, let me clarify something. People look at everything from their perspective. For example, if they are passing a comment on me, they believe that others would see the world through their eyes," Ashwin said.

“Their comments that you (Harbhajan) are jealous of this person who is interviewing you today (Ashwin), what would that be about, Bhajji pa?” Ashwin asked further.

Harbhajan Singh: Unfiltered

An epic conversation on #KuttiStoriesWithAsh, powered by @PeterEngland_, is out.

All your questions and doubts, cleared. Fasten your seat belts!https://t.co/PDO7ozzSKe pic.twitter.com/3WyzVzwIqc

— Kutti Stories with Ash (@crikipidea) July 20, 2025

Harbhajan replied, “Do you think I am jealous of you? We are sitting here today and talking openly. I am not that kind of person. I would never be jealous of my own teammates.”

“Even if you were jealous at one point in time, I think it’s justified. That is my point, and I will never take it wrong because we are all human. Naturally, it is bound to be like that. Some people believe I retired because Washington Sundar has come. All of this is the perspective of others,” Ashwin said.