Former Indian fast bowler Sreesanth has reignited his long-running feud with Harbhajan Singh, issuing an open challenge to the former spinner to an in-ring fight nearly two decades after the infamous ‘fast wicket’ incident in the Indian Premier League. Speaking during his recent appearance on the podcast, Sreesanth accused Harbhajan of continuing to profit from the controversy and challenged him to settle their differences in a boxing-style contest.
These statements represent the final chapter in the relationship Which seems to have healed over the years, With his former Indian teammates publicly leaving the fallout of the 2008 incident.
The renewed war of words comes after Sreesanth took issue with a recent ad featuring Harbhajan, which he believes is a reference to the infamous Slapgate episode. While referring to an old promotional photo of the pair in boxing gear facing each other, Sreesanth wondered if Harbhajan would be willing to face him in a real fight.
“This same scene, do you have the guts? Do you have the guts to get into the ring with me? Can you sign and come? I’m asking him. Do you have the guts to get into the ring with me? Wearing the same gloves? This is not an act. 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 told Allantube.
The former Indian player doubled down on the challenge by highlighting his recent involvement in combat sports and urging Harbhajan to settle the matter in the ring rather than through announcements or public references.
“I am currently in the Bear Knuckle Fight League. I challenge you, Bhaji. If you have a big problem with the slap and with me, and you are earning this much… let me earn too. Come to the ring. I am inviting you from my heart. If we have some self-respect, let us not do advertisements and all that. In a real way, for all the Malayalis and all the Sardars, please come. I am waiting,” he added.
The comments once again drew attention to one such comment Indian cricket’s most controversial off-field incident. During the inaugural IPL season in 2008, Harbhajan, then representing Mumbai Indians, slapped Sreesanth after a match against Kings XI Punjab. Pictures of Sreesanth crying quickly became one of the defining moments of that season, leading to widespread criticism and disciplinary action against Harbhajan.
What led to the latest fallout?
Although both players reconciled in the following years, Sreesanth claims that their relationship broke down again. The former contestant claimed that the recent ad featuring Harbhajan brought to light the controversy surrounding him and reopened old wounds. He also claimed that Harbhajan benefited financially from the campaign and expressed his frustration That a painful chapter of his career was used for commercial purposes.
Despite multiple public apologies from Harbhajan over the years and several instances of the duo sharing platforms and public announcements together, Sreesanth noted that he has cut ties with the former spinner once again. He revealed that he blocked Harbhajan and no longer wanted to maintain contact with him.
As things stand, Harbhajan has not publicly responded to Sreesanth’s latest challenge. It remains to be seen whether these comments will lead to another exchange between the former cricketers, but the comments have ensured that memories of the 2008 controversy remain in the spotlight.
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