 "Lalit Modi has hit back at Sreesanth's wife after leaking slapgate video. Image: Reuters")
The IPL 2008 slapgate controversy has returned to the headlines after 17 years. Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi recently leaked an unseen video of Harbhajan Singh slapping S Sreesanth following a match between the Mumbai Indians and the Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab).
Modi appeared on a podcast with former Australia captain Michael Clarke and released the video, saying it was caught on his security camera after broadcasters had stopped recording. In the clip, Harbhajan is seen calling Sreesanth and then slapping him with the back of his hand.
The decision to share the video upset Sreesanth’s wife, Bhuvneshwari. She called it “disgusting, heartless, and inhuman,” accusing Modi and Clarke of dragging up an old incident for publicity. She said both Harbhajan and Sreesanth had moved on and are now living peaceful lives with their families.
Lalit Modi hits back at Sreesanth’s wife
Responding to the criticism, Modi said he was only answering a question asked during the podcast and told the truth. Modi said there is nothing to be angry about, as he never denied that Sreesanth was the victim in the incident and that what Harbhajan did was wrong.
“I don’t know why she (Sreesanth’s wife Bhuvneshwari) is getting angry. I was asked a question, and I shared the truth. I can’t do anything about that. I am known to speak the truth. Sree was the victim, and that’s exactly what I said. No one had asked me this question earlier, so when Clarke quipped, I responded,” Modi told IANS.
The incident happened during the first season of the Indian Premier League, when Harbhajan hit Sreesanth during post-match handshakes. Harbhajan was banned at the time and later apologised. However, there was no real video of the aforementioned incident until Modi released one on the podcast.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsMeanwhile, Harbhajan Singh has already apologised to Sreesanth and his family on multiple occasions. The former India spinner recently revealed that the incident remains the single biggest regret of his cricketing career.
“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.