The renowned slapgate incident involving pacer Sreesanth during the first IPL season in 2008 is the source of an emotional experience recently shared by legendary India spinner Harbhajan Singh. Harbhajan talked about how he felt guilty and regretful after having an emotional talk with Sreesanth’s daughter.
The contentious incident happened following a Mumbai Indians vs. Kings XI Punjab game in Mohali. when Punjab’s triumph, Harbhajan, who was then captaining Mumbai in Sachin Tendulkar’s place, allegedly smacked Sreesanth at the post-match handshake when the latter smiled and remarked, “Hard luck.” Images of a distraught Sreesanth went viral.
Even though Harbhajan was given a suspension for the remainder of the season, the incident caused a lot of controversy and strained relations between the two teammates, even though they both went on to play for India and ultimately won the 2011 World Cup together. With tears in his eyes, the spinner shared what he had discussed with the pacer’s daughter.
“That Sreesanth event is one thing I would like to change in my life. I wish to put that experience out of my professional life. I would remove that incident from my list. I shouldn’t have done what I did, and what happened was terrible. I said I was sorry 200 times. I felt terrible because I have continued to apologise at every chance and stage I got, even years after that happened. It was an error.
Even after many years, I was still wounded when I met his daughter and, as I was speaking to her lovingly, she stated, “I don’t want to talk to you.” You struck my dad. I was about to cry because my heart was broken. What impression have I made on her, I wondered? I assume she has a negative opinion of me. She believes that I struck her father. I felt awful. On Kutti Stories with Ash, Harbhajan said, “I still apologise to his daughter that I am powerless to do anything.”
Harbhajan and Sreesanth have since worked things out despite the backlash.
After the incident, they played together, and they have even shared a pitch in cricket competitions for veterans. Harbhajan stated that he had apologised to Sreesanth for his actions up to this point.
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