“I dare you, Bhaji.” If you have a problem with the slap and me… get in the ring.’
IMAGE: S. Sreesanth, who is currently involved in the Bare Knuckle Fight League, issues an ‘open challenge’ to Harbhajan Singh. Photography: Mike Hutchings/Reuters
Key points
- Sreesanth challenged Harbhajan Singh to a boxing match to resolve the 2008 IPL “slapgate” dispute.
- The challenge stems from Sreesanth’s belief that Harbhajan continues to benefit from the controversy.
- The incident revives memories of the infamous 2008 IPL season where Harbhajan slapped Sreesanth.
The ‘Slapgate’ controversy of IPL 2008 erupted once again as Shanthakumaran Sreesanth reignited his feud with Harbhajan Singh by challenging the former spinner to settle their differences inside the boxing ring.
Speaking during his recent appearance on the podcast, Sreesanth accused Harbhajan of continuing to profit from the controversy and called for a direct confrontation in a boxing-style contest to settle the matter.
“This same scene, do you have the courage?” Do you have the courage to enter the ring with me? Can you sign and come? I ask him. Wearing these same gloves? This is not acting. I’m smiling. You’re not even smiling, I don’t know what you’re doing.
“let’s see.” “This is an open challenge,” Sreesanth said. Lalantope.
The challenge comes after Sreesanth took offense to a recent ad featuring Harbhajan Singh, which he believes is a reference to the infamous Slapgate episode. Pointing out an old promotional photo of the pair in boxing gear, he asked if Harbhajan was ready to face him for real and not in scripted settings.
‘I’m currently in the Bare Knuckle Fight League. I challenge you, Bhaji. If you have such a big problem with me and the slap order, and you earn this much money… let me earn too. Come to the ring.
‘I am calling you from my heart. If we had some self-respect, let’s not do ads and all that. In a real way, to all Malayalis and all Sardars, please come along. “I am waiting,” Sreesanth added.
The 2008 IPL Slapgate incident revisited
During the inaugural IPL season in 2008, Harbhajan Singh, who was playing for Mumbai Indians, slapped Sreesanth after a match against Kings XI Punjab. The emotional aftermath, including a tearful Sreesanth on camera, became one of the defining images of that season and led to major disciplinary action being taken against Harbhajan.
While both players appeared to have publicly reconciled in the following years, Sreesanth now claims the relationship has broken down once again.
A recent ad featuring Harbhajan has highlighted the ongoing controversy and reopened old wounds, says Sreesanth, also noting that Harbhajan has benefited financially from revisiting the episode.
Sreesanth blocks Harbhajan amid renewed hostility
Despite Harbhajan Singh’s multiple public apologies over the years and several appearances together in media and promotional campaigns, Sreesanth said he no longer wished to maintain contact. He revealed that he has blocked Harbhajan and the matter is considered closed on his part.
So far, Harbhajan has not responded to Sreesanth’s challenge.
