The incident occurred 16 years ago during a match between the Mumbai Indians and the Kings XI Punjab at Mohali
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) kicked off with a bang in 2008, spectators were treated to a spectacle unlike any other, with top players worldwide showcasing their skills on the grand stage. However, amidst the thrill and fervour of the IPL's debut, one incident marred the spirit of the game and left a bitter taste in the mouths of cricket fans everywhere. The infamous "slapgate" incident involving Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth shook the cricketing world and brought into question the gentlemanly conduct synonymous with the sport.
The incident occurred 16 years ago during a match between the Mumbai Indians and the Kings XI Punjab at Mohali. As we revisit that day, let's remember the fateful match and the unfortunate incident that unfolded.
IPL encountered its first on-field controversy with allegations surfacing that Harbhajan had struck his India teammate and IPL rival, Sreesanth. The incident, which took place after the match, left Sreesanth visibly upset, with reports indicating that he was in tears. Yuvraj Singh, Sreesanth's captain, condemned the incident as "totally unacceptable," stating that Harbhajan had apologised to Sreesanth after the match.
The altercation stemmed from a verbal exchange earlier in the match between Sreesanth and Robin Uthappa, the captain of the Mumbai Indians, during the chase. Additionally, Sreesanth's celebrations after dismissing Shaun Pollock didn't sit well with the Mumbai Indians' dugout.
Following the investigation into the altercation, Harbhajan faced disciplinary action. He was banned for the next five ODI matches and received a suspension for ten IPL matches, and a warning left Sreesanth.
Kings XI Punjab emerged victorious, winning by a margin of 66 runs. KXIP batted first and posted a formidable 182 runs for losing ten wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The standout performance came from Kumar Sangakkara, who scored a blistering 94 runs off just 56 deliveries, anchoring the innings with his aggressive stroke play. MI struggled to chase the target and scored only 116 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. Despite contributions from players like Robin Uthappa and Dwayne Bravo, the Mumbai Indians fell short of the required total.
This incident was not the first time Harbhajan had been embroiled in controversy, as earlier in the year, he was accused of racially abusing Andrew Symonds during a Test series against Australia. The strained on-field relationship between Harbhajan and Sreesanth during the India-South Africa Test series also fueled the controversy.
After 15 years of the incident, the two cricketers again found themselves in the spotlight, albeit in a different setting. This time, it wasn't on the cricket field but in an advertisement for Zomato. Harbhajan and Sreesanth playfully spar over pronouncing the food delivery app's name in the ad.
Harbhajan insists on calling it "Zomaato," while Sreesanth counters with "Zomaito," leading to a humorous exchange between the two former rivals. It's a light-hearted moment that brings a touch of nostalgia for cricket fans, reminding them of the past while showcasing the camaraderie that can exist between competitors off the field.
As we reflect on this incident 16 years later, it reminds us of the fragility of sportsmanship in the face of passion and competition and its enduring resilience. Ultimately, it is not just the victories on the field that define cricket; all of the character and camaraderie exhibited both on and off truly embody the game's spirit.
