Harsha Bhogle Finally Reveals Why The Video Of Harbhajan Singh Slapping Sreesanth Was Kept Secret For 17 Years

The infamous slap-gate incident between Sreesanth and Harbhajan Singh had remained hidden from the public eye for 17 long years. Recently, Lalit Modi reopened the controversy by revealing unseen footage from the 2008 IPL clash. This unexpected revival stirred fresh debate in cricketing circles. Breaking his silence, veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle has shared why the video had been kept under wraps all these years.

Harsha Bhogle took to X and shared why the slap-gate footage stayed hidden all these years

While many of you may know about the infamous “slap-gate” incident between Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth, many did not. Recently, Lalit Modi brought it back to everyone’s attention by revealing that he still holds unseen footage of the 2008 altercation. For this, he has received a fair amount of criticism. But his revelation also sparked a bigger question, why was the clip never shown to the public in the first place?

Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle has now broken his silence and explained the reason.

The Hindu

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He revealed that only a handful of people had access to the footage at the time, and they made a conscious decision to keep it under wraps. The IPL was in its very first season, and those involved feared that the controversy would cast a shadow over the tournament before it even had the chance to establish itself.

Sharing his thoughts on X, Bhogle wrote,

“Interesting that the Harbhajan-Sreesanth video has found its way out after 17 years. Very few of us had seen it and we had given our word that it would stay out of the public domain because the IPL was in its first year and it wouldn’t have been the best bit of news for it.”

Have a look at it,

Interesting that the Harbhajan-Sreesanth video has found its way out after 17 years. Very few of us had seen it and we had given our word that it would stay out of the public domain because the IPL was in its first year and it wouldn’t have been the best bit of news for it

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 29, 2025

His words highlight how sensitive the situation was at the time and why protecting the image of the new league was given priority.

Here is how Lalit Modi revived the slap gate incident

Speaking on Michael Clarke’s Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, Lalit Modi revealed that he still possesses unseen footage of the altercation. Modi claimed,

“As players were exchanging handshakes, Bhajji just looked at Sreesanth, said something, and gave him a backhander. That’s what the footage shows. I’ve had it for 18 years.”

By saying so he further shared that the clip was never made public.

Have a look,

One of the wildest moments in IPL history, Unseen footage of the Bhajji–Sreesanth slapgate that never been aired#IPL pic.twitter.com/E9Ux8bodOW

— Vishal (@Fanpointofviews) August 29, 2025

The incident occurred in Mohali when Mumbai Indians’ stand-in captain Harbhajan Singh slapped Kings XI Punjab pacer Sreesanth following a heated contest.

What followed became one of the darkest moments in IPL history, television cameras captured Sreesanth crying on the field, an image that dominated headlines and cast a shadow over the league’s first season. Harbhajan was subsequently banned for 11 matches and fined, while the BCCI’s disciplinary committee held him guilty of misconduct.

Sreesanth’s wife Bhuvneshwari gave a much needed response to Lalit Modi and Michael Clarke

Not keeping quiet, Sreesanth’s wife, Bhuvneshwari, came forward with a strong response. Taking to Instagram, she lashed out at Lalit Modi and Michael Clarke for reopening a painful memory. She accused them of seeking attention and cheap publicity, stressing that both Sreesanth and Harbhajan are fathers now who have moved on with their lives.

“Shame on you, Lalit Modi and Michael Clarke. You people are not even human to drag up something from 2008 just for your own cheap publicity and views. Both @sreesanthnair36 and Harbhajan have long moved on; they are fathers now with school-going children, and yet you try to throw them back into an old wound. Absolutely disgusting, heartless, and inhuman.”

Have a look,

Her reply was widely seen as a much-needed defense, reminding everyone that some wounds are better left in the past.

Over the years, however, both Harbhajan and Sreesanth have moved on. The two reconciled, shared commentary panels, and even reflected on the incident with maturity, calling it a closed chapter. Yet, the revival of the controversy by Modi has sparked fresh criticism, with many calling it unnecessary to drag players back into old wounds.

Looking back now, Bhogle’s explanation shows that the decision wasn’t about hiding the truth but about ensuring the IPL survived its early days without being overshadowed by scandal. What are your thoughts on all of this? Do share via the comments below.