Untold Stories: Was Lalit Modi Right in Making the Slapgate Video Public?

One such ugly moment came in IPL 2008 when Harbhajan Singh, then playing for Mumbai Indians, slapped Punjab Kings pacer S Sreesanth during the post-match handshake. The incident was never shown live, though its aftermath created huge controversy at the time. Now, 17 years later, former IPL Chairman Lalit Modi has released the unseen video. This raises a big question: was it really necessary to resurface the clip after both players had moved on?

Why Did Lalit Modi Release the Slapgate Incident After 17 Years?

The infamous IPL 2008 “slapgate” incident involving Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth is back in the headlines after former IPL chairman Lalit Modi shared the never-before-seen video footage. The incident took place on April 25, 2008, in Mohali after a match between the Mumbai Indians and the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). It was one of the first major controversies of the newly launched league, and while fans had seen pictures of a teary-eyed Sreesanth, no video evidence was ever made public until now. Back then, Harbhajan Singh, who was playing for the Mumbai Indians, lost his cool and slapped Kings XI pacer Sreesanth during the post-match handshakes.

The famous slap in my podcast with @MClarke23 on #beyond23 – part 3 of my podcast. I love @harbhajan_singh – but after 17 years it was time to reveal it. Lots and lots more to reveal but that will now only be in the movie that’s in the works supervised by @SnehaRajani on my… pic.twitter.com/EhPaIRAZ0F

— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) August 29, 2025

The shocking act was captured by a security camera installed at the stadium, but the official broadcast cameras had already been turned off after the match ended. Since that day, the incident has been remembered through images and eyewitness accounts, but the actual video has remained hidden for 17 long years. In the immediate aftermath, Harbhajan faced serious punishment. The off-spinner was banned for the rest of the IPL 2008 season, and the BCCI handed him a five-ODI suspension.

The incident also drew heavy criticism as it reflected poorly on Indian cricket, especially since both players were national teammates. Harbhajan publicly apologized to Sreesanth and his family several times in the years that followed, and the two eventually moved on, even sharing lighter moments on television shows later. The big question that arose when Modi released the video recently was: why was it hidden for so long? The answer came from both Lalit Modi himself and cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle.

According to Modi, the clip was never part of the official broadcast since only his private security cameras had captured it. He admitted that he had kept the footage for nearly two decades and chose not to release it at that time because of the damage it could have caused to the IPL’s image. Harsha Bhogle also shed light on the situation, explaining that the league was in its very first season in 2008 and was still trying to establish itself. A public release of such an ugly incident could have tarnished the IPL’s reputation globally. On this, Lalit Modi said:

I had kept that video. The game was over, and the cameras had shut off. One of my security cameras was on because I was walking in the field. It was caught as the teams finished playing. The players were going thanking each other and shaking hands. One team was going one way, the other team was going the opposite way, and then it came down to Sreesanth and Bhajji. Bhajji just looks at him, I sat them both down afterwards and had to penalise Bhajji in the meeting. He received an eight-match suspension, although some people were calling for a lifetime suspension. It was a new league, lots of passion, but I found it offensive. It was not just about Bhajji or Sreesanth; we needed to set an example, we needed to set boundaries.

Lalit Modi reacts.. pic.twitter.com/HmTQFVxBs3

— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) August 31, 2025

Bhogle said that only a few people had access to the footage back then, and they had promised to keep it away from the public domain for the greater good of the league. Now, with 17 years having passed and the IPL having grown into one of the biggest sporting leagues in the world, Modi decided to share the video during a podcast appearance with former Australian captain Michael Clarke. In his words, the footage shows Harbhajan saying something to Sreesanth before striking him with a backhand slap. While the video has reignited memories of one of IPL’s darkest episodes, both Harbhajan and Sreesanth have long moved on from the matter.

How Did Sreesanth’s Wife React to the Slapgate Video?

With the video getting viral, one of the darkest moments in IPL history has returned to the spotlight after nearly two decades. The controversy goes back to the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League in 2008, when Harbhajan Singh, then playing for the Mumbai Indians, slapped Sreesanth of Kings XI Punjab after a heated game in Mohali. The incident, caught on camera back then, was investigated immediately by the BCCI and led to Harbhajan being banned for the rest of the season. Sreesanth, visibly in tears after the match, became the face of the ugly clash that overshadowed the cricket that night.

Sreesanth’s wife Bhuvneshwari hit out at Lalit Modi! 👀#Cricket #HarbhajanSingh #Sreesanth #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/OBJhpXdd6C

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) August 30, 2025

For years, both cricketers worked hard to move on from that episode. They patched up, continued with their international careers, and eventually settled into life beyond constant controversies. Harbhajan ended his career as one of India’s greatest off-spinners, while Sreesanth, despite facing ups and downs, returned to domestic cricket and later shifted his focus to television and commentary.

The chapter of “slapgate” seemed long closed. But in August 2025, the matter resurfaced when Lalit Modi, the former IPL chairman, showed unseen security camera footage of the slap on a YouTube podcast. In the clip, Harbhajan is clearly seen striking Sreesanth with a backhander, confirming what had only been partially shown in TV replays years ago. The video instantly spread across social media, raking in thousands of views within hours. The release of this clip has caused fresh uproar.

Many in the cricketing circle and fans questioned the need to bring back such an old incident, especially at a time when both players have long buried the hatchet. Critics believe the act serves little purpose other than generating attention online. For families of the players, the video has reopened wounds that were once painful but forgotten. The timing of the release has made things even more sensitive. On this, Sreesanth’s wife said:

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 Sreesanth 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. Sreesanth has rebuilt his life with dignity and grace after every hardship he faced. As his wife, and as the mother of his children, it is deeply painful for our family to see this resurface after 18 long years. Families are being forced to relive trauma that was buried decades ago only so you can chase views.

Sreesanth’s wife Bhuvneshwari slammed Lalit Modi and Michael Clarke for reviving the infamous IPL 2008 slapgate incident with Harbhajan Singh.

Lalit Modi recently shared a never-seen-before footage of the incident, where Harbhajan Singh could be seen hitting Sreesanth.… pic.twitter.com/iyazpUMT95

— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) August 30, 2025

Both Harbhajan and Sreesanth are now family men, fathers to young children who were not even born when the incident took place. The resurfacing of the footage means their kids, friends, and schools might now talk about an unpleasant story from the past that neither family wanted to revisit. What was once a private struggle within cricket has been pushed back into the public space, creating new embarrassment and discomfort. She further added:

This doesn’t just hurt the players, it scars their innocent children who now have to face questions and shame for no fault of theirs. You should be sued for doing something so cheap and inhumane. Sreesanth is a man of strength and character, and no video can take that dignity away from him. Fear God before you hurt families and innocent children for your own gain.

The episode also raises questions about responsibility in media and sports coverage. Should past controversies, especially those involving personal altercations, be brought back decades later simply for online popularity? Many feel this only harms reputations and forces families to go through unnecessary pain.