The controversy reignited after Lalit Modi appeared on Michael Clarke’s Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, where the two revisited some of the most heated incidents in IPL history. During the conversation, Modi unveiled never-before-seen footage from the 2008 game between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), showing the infamous moment when Harbhajan Singh slapped Sreesanth during the post-match handshake.
Although Harbhajan was handed an 11-match suspension at the time, the release of this old clip has stirred fresh debate. Over the years, both players had moved past the incident, even appearing together on commentary teams and in commercials, but the resurfacing of the video seems to have reopened old wounds.
Recently, Sreesanth’s wife, Bhuvneshwari Kumari, criticized Modi and Clarke for releasing the video. Modi however stood by his decision, stating he had simply spoken honestly.
“I don’t know why she is getting angry. I was asked a question, and I shared the truth. I can’t do anything about that. I am known to speak the truth. Sree was the victim, and that’s exactly what I said,” Modi told IANS.
He also clarified that the clip wasn’t from the official broadcast but from his personal security camera, captured after the TV feed had ended.
“As players were exchanging handshakes, Bhajji just looked at Sreesanth, said something, and gave him a backhander. That’s what the footage shows. I’ve had it for 18 years,” he added.
What makes this controversy even more intriguing is the question of timing. Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth had long reconciled, with Harbhajan offering public apologies on several occasions. In recent years, the two have even appeared together on television shows and commentary panels, displaying mutual respect and friendship. Against this backdrop, the sudden release of the old footage seems both unnecessary and provocative.
Adding perspective, veteran cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle explained why the clip had remained hidden for so long. Sharing his thoughts on X, he wrote:
“Interesting that the Harbhajan-Sreesanth video has found its way out after 17 years. Very few of us had seen it, and we had given our word that it would stay out of the public domain because the IPL was in its first year and it wouldn’t have been the best bit of news for it.”
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