'Don’t want to talk to you, you hit my father' - Harbhajan Singh recalls emotional confrontation with Sreesanth’s daughter
The infamous slapgate incident between Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth took place in the 2008 IPL.
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Legendary India spinner Harbhajan Singh recently revealed an emotional moment that dates back to the infamous slapgate incident involving pacer Sreesanth during the inaugural IPL season in 2008. Harbhajan mentioned how an emotional conversation with Sreesanth’s daughter left him with guilt and regret.
The controversial incident took place after a match between the Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab in Mohali. Harbhajan, then leading Mumbai in Sachin Tendulkar’s absence, slapped Sreesanth during the post-match handshake, allegedly after the latter said Hard luck with a smile following Punjab's victory. The visuals of a tearful Sreesanth went viral.
While Harbhajan was handed a ban for the rest of the season, the event triggered widespread debate and led to tensions between the two teammates, despite both continuing to represent India and eventually winning the 2011 World Cup together. The spinner revealed his conversation with the pacer's daughter, which brought tears to his eyes.
“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. What I felt so bad was that even years after that incident, I have been apologizing every opportunity or stage I get. It was a mistake.
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 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 Harbhajan on Kutti Stories with Ash.
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Despite the fallout, Harbhajan and Sreesanth have since resolved the issues. They played alongside each other post-incident and have even shared the field in veterans’ cricket leagues. Harbhajan pointed out that he till date apologises to Sreesanth for his behaviour.