Before match-fixing scandals and mid-game brawls, IPL had its first major storm in 2008—when Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth stole the headlines for all the wrong reasons!
The Indian Premier League was only a few weeks old in 2008, still basking in the glow of its glittering debut, when a moment of madness stole the show. It was neither a last-ball thriller nor a record-breaking knock. It was even more bizarre—a teary-eyed pacer, a rage-fuelled off-spinner, and an altercation reverberating for years.
It was the night when Harbhajan Singh reportedly slapped Sreesanth. Or pushed him or tickled him, depending on whom you ask. In any case, the outcome was utter disgrace, and an IPL ban sent shockwaves through Indian cricket.
But how did things escalate to this point? Let’s rewind.
Mohali, 25 April 2008. Kings XI Punjab had just defeated the Mumbai Indians. Harbhajan experienced his third consecutive defeat as stand-in captain while Sreesanth celebrated.
Now, if you are familiar with these two cricketers, you’ll know they weren’t exactly quiet. Sreesanth, known for his aggressive on-field behaviour, often celebrated wickets with a flamboyant dance. Harbhajan, on the other hand, was a fierce competitor who never shied away from a confrontation.
Earlier in the match, the aggressive fast bowler exchanged angry words with Mumbai’s batters. So, when Sreesanth approached Harbhajan post-match, reportedly uttering a “hard luck” comment, the off-spinner, known for his short temper, snapped.
What transpired next stands as one of the most notorious moments in IPL history.
TV cameras did not capture the entire conflict, but what they did capture was unforgettable—Sreesanth, eyes brimming with tears, wiping his cheeks like a reprimanded schoolboy. Within moments, the news had spread.
Did Harbhajan really slap him? Or was it a push? Or was it simply a matter of words being misinterpreted? The truth was unclear, but the implications were not.
The IPL wasted no time in taking action. Harbhajan was suspended for the remainder of the tournament, his salary was withheld, and the BCCI imposed a separate five-match ODI ban. This incident not only damaged the reputation of the players involved but also raised concerns about the integrity of a league striving to position itself as the future of cricket.
The dispute continued in the following days. Harbhajan apologised, admitting that his emotions had gotten the better. To his credit, Sreesanth downplayed the incident and referred to Harbhajan as an “elder brother.” However, the damage was done.
The IPL was still in its early stages when it encountered its first major scandal. While greater storms—match-fixing, betting scandals, team suspensions—would follow in the years to come, the ‘Slapgate’ affair will be remembered as the league’s first significant controversy.
Seventeen years later, as the IPL 2025 approaches, Slapgate remains a reminder of how raw emotions can boil over in cricket’s high-profile events. It wasn’t merely a slap or a shove; it epitomised the fierce rivalries, pressure, and intensity that the IPL would eventually come to represent.
Harbhajan and Sreesanth ultimately rose to infamy, claiming it was an unwanted incident in many interviews, but their notorious incident in Mohali will endure in IPL legends. After all, cricket has witnessed its fair share of rivalries—but how many included a slap, a tear-streaked pacer, and a ban that altered IPL history?
