NEW DELHI: The Harbhajan Singh–Sreesanth altercation stays probably the most darkest and maximum debated episodes in Indian Premier League (IPL) historical past. Just about 18 years later, the notorious “slap-gate” controversy has resurfaced after former IPL chairman Lalit Modi printed he possesses unseen photos of the incident, sparking questions on why the video by no means noticed the sunshine of day.The flashpoint came about all the way through the inaugural IPL season in 2008, when Mumbai Indians’ stand-in skipper Harbhajan Singh slapped Kings XI Punjab pacer Sreesanth after a fit in Mohali. Move Past The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Tv cameras later captured Sreesanth crying uncontrollably, a picture that ruled headlines and forged a shadow over the fledgling league. Harbhajan used to be banned for 11 suits and misplaced his fit charges, whilst the BCCI disciplinary committee held him accountable of misconduct.Modi, talking on Michael Clarke’s Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, claimed one among his safety cameras stuck the precise second. “As gamers have been exchanging handshakes, Bhajji simply checked out Sreesanth, stated one thing, and gave him a backhander. That is what the photos displays. I have had it for 18 years,” he stated, including that the clip used to be by no means made public.Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle has now defined why. “Attention-grabbing that the Harbhajan-Sreesanth video has discovered its approach out after 17 years. Only a few people had observed it and we had given our phrase that it will keep out of the general public area since the IPL used to be in its first yr and it shouldn’t have been the most productive bit of stories for it,” Bhogle posted on X.
His remarks underline how the league, in its infancy, selected to give protection to its symbol over exposing a dangerous scandal in complete element.Whilst Harbhajan and Sreesanth have lengthy reconciled and transitioned into remark roles, the revival of the episode has drawn contemporary complaint. Sreesanth’s spouse strongly condemned Modi and Clarkeaccusing them of “dragging up outdated wounds” for exposure.With Bhogle’s revelation, enthusiasts in any case perceive why the notorious video used to be buried for just about 20 years — to protect the IPL’s recognition in its adolescence.