The infamous slapgate controversy from the IPL 2008 has resurfaced, sparking a fresh war of words between former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi and S. Sreesanth’s wife, Bhuvneshwari Kumari.
The storm began after Lalit Modi shared an unseen video clip of the 2008 incident where Harbhajan Singh allegedly slapped Sreesanth following a match between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab.
While the matter had been dealt with years ago, the resurfaced clip has reopened old wounds, upsetting Sreesanth’s family.
What Happened in IPL 2008?
The slapgate incident remains one of the most controversial moments in Indian Premier League history. After a heated match, reports claimed Harbhajan Singh lost his cool and slapped Sreesanth, leaving the fast bowler in tears.
The video of Sreesanth crying was broadcast live, but the actual footage of the altercation remained behind closed doors—until Lalit Modi decided to share it publicly now.
Sreesanth’s Wife Slams Modi
The video’s release did not go down well with Bhuvneshwari Kumari, who strongly criticized Modi for dragging her husband back into an episode that had already been resolved.
She questioned the timing of the release, arguing that both Sreesanth and Harbhajan had long moved on from the incident and now share a friendly relationship. For her, the resurfacing of this painful memory seemed unnecessary and insensitive.
Her message was clear: the past should be left in the past.
Lalit Modi’s Retort: “Why Is She Getting Angry?”
Never one to hold back, Lalit Modi quickly hit back at the criticism. He claimed he had done nothing wrong and had simply revealed the “truth” behind one of IPL’s darkest moments.
“Why is she getting angry? I didn’t do anything. I can’t change what happened. I just shared the truth,” said Modi while addressing the backlash.
For Modi, the video was about transparency and showing fans what really took place during the heated exchange in 2008.
A Divided Reaction from Fans
The release of the video has sparked mixed reactions on social media:
- Some fans applauded Modi, saying the video “finally exposed the truth” behind the controversy.
- Others slammed him for being “insensitive” and accused him of chasing attention by reopening old wounds.
- A section of cricket followers expressed sympathy for Sreesanth, noting how he has worked hard to rebuild his reputation after past controversies.
Will This Spark Fresh Reactions?
So far, neither Harbhajan Singh nor Sreesanth has publicly responded to the resurfaced video or Lalit Modi’s comments. However, given the heated responses online, it won’t be surprising if they eventually issue a statement.
For Lalit Modi, however, this episode is another reminder of his outspoken personality. His decision to release the video—and his sharp reply to Sreesanth’s wife—shows he is unbothered by criticism and unapologetic about reopening old debates.
In Shorts:
The slapgate saga may belong to the past, but Lalit Modi’s decision to share the video proves that some cricketing controversies never truly die.
While he insists it was about “sharing the truth,” for Sreesanth’s family it was about reopening old wounds. Whether seen as transparency or provocation, one thing is certain—the slapgate controversy will continue to live on in IPL folklore.
