Match referee 'surprised' by Harbhajan-Sreesanth video leak: 'I did my job with dignified silence'

Match referee 'surprised' by Harbhajan-Sreesanth video leak

Harbhajan Singh and S Sreesanth's notorious slapgate episode during the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008 was a long and forgotten chapter in Indian cricket history. However, it is no longer the case as of last week. The incident is back in news as Lalit Modi, the former chairman of the IPL, released the never-seen video footage last week on Michael Clarke's Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.

While everyone was aware that Harbhajan had slapped Sreesanth, the public had never seen the footage of what actually transpired the altercation. In the small clip Harbhajan was seen throwing a backhand across Sreesanth's face.

Harbhajan and Sreesanth's wife have already voiced their disapproval over the leak.

Also Read | Harbhajan Singh accuses Lalit Modi of 'selfish motive' behind Sreesanth video: 'The way it has been leaked...'

The legendary Farokh Engineer, who officiated the infamous match, has now weighed-in on the incident, expressing "surprise". He added that in these 18 years he never discussed the event with media or closest of friends.

"I'm surprised that the footage has emerged after all these years. As match referee for that particular match, I maintained confidentiality throughout and didn't speak about the contents of the incident even to the best of my friends in the media," Engineer told Mid-Day.

"I had a job to do as match referee and I believe I did it [well] with dignified silence. It’s a thing of the past, and I’m sure both players have long buried their differences. Like many other things in cricket, it was done in the heat of the moment. Harbhajan is a good friend. We move on," he added.

Like Engineer said, Harbhajan has apologised for his act in previous interviews. The duo were also part of India's 2011 World Cup winning squad. And before the incident, they played together in the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007, which India won.