Harbhajan Singh revisits IPL's biggest controversy involving him and Sreesanth: 'Insaan hu, Bhagwaan nahi'

Harbhajan Singh revisits IPL's biggest controversy involving him and Sreesanth. (Photo: X)

Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh on Sunday (March 30) acknowledged his mistake of slapping Sreesanth on the pitch during the first season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. The incident remains one of the biggest controversies in the history of the cash-rich league. Singh was even banned from playing the rest of the tournament that year.

Replying to a video of the day the incident happened, Harbhajan said, "This wasn’t right, bhai. It was my mistake. I shouldn't have done this. But mistakes happen—I'm human, not God."

This wasnt right bhaiIt was my mistake . Shouldnt hv done this . But Galti hui Insaan hu Bhagwaan nahi https://t.co/dXo5fMM86k
Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) March 30, 2025

The incident between Harbhajan and Sreesanth sent shockwaves through the Indian cricket community. Harbhajan who was captain of the Mumbai Indians for that season had to hand over duties to Shaun Pollock as he was banned for the remainder of the tournament.

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Harbhajan has admitted that his actions were wrong and had caused embarrassment to his teammates. Meanwhile, Sreesanth has stated that he has always been friends with Harbhajan and is, in fact, grateful to the former spinner for supporting him since his early days as a domestic player.

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“We have always been friends. That was just a misunderstanding and the media made a big noise out of it. I will just say that Bhajji pa has supported me from the beginning in every way, including recently with commentary tips. He has supported me and helped me a lot and I am very thankful to him. There is that song, 'Tere jaisa yaar kaha', that is my relationship with him,” said Sreesanth on Sports Yaari.

Harbhajan had said last year that he regrets his action on that day. “What happened was wrong. I made a mistake. Because of me, my teammate had to face embarrassment. I was embarrassed. If I had to correct one mistake, it was how I treated Sreesanth on the field. It should not have happened. When I think about it, I feel there was no need,” Harbhajan said.

Recently, the former spinner once again found himself in trouble after throwing a racist comment at Jofra Archer during an IPL match. Harbhajan Singh, who is serving as a commentator for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, found himself embroiled in controversy during the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals match. While commentating, Harbhajan made a peculiar reference to English pacer Jofra Archer using the term "kaali taxi" (black taxi), which sparked outrage on social media. (Read more here)