18 years after the infamous Indian Premier League (IPL) slapgate, the incident continues to affect S Sreesanth’s life. The former India pacer has criticised legendary spinner Harbhajan Singh of doing an advertisement on slapgate which came out a few months ago. Sreesanth claimed that Harbhajan made Rs 80 lakh to Rs 1 crore from the advertisement. In addition, he also asked him to put it on his Instagram story. The pacer was irked by his former teammate and blocked him on Instagram.
"I have never spoken about Bhajji in any interview. This is going to be the first time," Sreesanth told Mathrubhumi, a Malayalam news outlet.
"Until recently there were no problems, but he made an ad about it once again. He made around Rs 80 lakh to Rs 1 crore off it. He then called me and asked me to put a story on it. I told him, ‘I'll forgive but I'll never forget’. If someone wrongs you, you should forgive them but never forget. If you forget, they will do the same thing again. He is the biggest example for that. There is no doubt about that."
IPL founder reignited Harbhajan-Sreesanth slapgate controversy
The infamous slapgate took place on April 25, 2008, after a match between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). The pacer was celebrating when Harbhajan slapped him. The pacer was left in tears. Later, the off-spinner was banned for the rest of the season in addition to a 100 per cent match fee fine.
While the visuals of Sreesanth crying were shown on the television screen, there was footage of Harbhajan's backhanded slap as well. More than 17 years later, IPL's founder and former chairman Lalit Modi released it during an interview with former Australia captain Michael Clarke.
Sreesanth says for Harbhajan – ‘it’s all an act’
Sreesanth got emotional as he treated Harbhajan like his brother. He recalled Harbhajan's interview with another legendary off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin. The Turbanator had revealed that Sreesanth's daughter doesn't want to talk to him. He went on to say that he regrets slapping his teammate.
"I have no relationship with that person. I used to call him a brother. But in that last 1 or 2 months he did that ad and now I have blocked him on Instagram,” Sreesanth said.
“My parents have taught me to forgive but never forget. I don't have any complaints against him, nor do I need him. May God bless him and his family. In many interviews, even with Ashwin, he talked about my daughter. People will think oh what a great person he is. He might be a great person. But for me from my time playing for India to now, in my opinion, it's all an act. That act is something Sreesanth doesn't accept."
However, Harbhajan and Sreesanth have appeared on platforms together several times. Three years ago, they did an advertisement together as well. Harbhajan is yet to respond to Sreesanth blocking him.