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India's legendary off-spinner Harbhajan Singh in a candid chat with another legendary off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, opened up about the controversial incident in the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 where he slapped S Sreesanth. Harbhajan said that he regrets the incident and one thing he wants to remove from his career.
The incident took place in the match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kings XI Punjab (Now Punjab Kings). He slapped opponent team's pacer Sreesanth which led to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspending him from remaining matches of the 2008 edition. More than 17 years after the incident, Harbhajan once again apologised for the incident.
“One thing I’d want to change in my life is that incident with Sreesanth. I want to remove that incident from my career. That is the incident I would change from my list. What transpired was wrong and I shouldn’t have done what I did. I apologised 200 times," Harbhajan told Ashwin on his YouTube podcast.
“What I felt so bad was even years after that incident, I have been apologising every opportunity or stage I get. It was a mistake. We all make mistakes and we hope and try to never repeat such mistakes. He was my teammate and we were playing together. Yes, in that game we were opponents. But it shouldn’t have gone to that level where we behave in such a manner. So yeah, that was my fault and 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’.”
Harbhajan heartbroken after conversation with Sreesanth's daughter
Harbhajan also opened up about his heartbreaking conversation with Sreesanth's daughter. The 45-year-old said that the former Indian pacer's daughter does not want to talk to him. He got emotional and hopes that when she grows up, she forgives him.
“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," said the T20 and ODI World Cup-winner.
“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,” he added.
Harbhajan in action this week
Harbhajan is currently a part of India Champions squad. He will be seen in action when India Champions take on South Africa Champions on July 22.
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