The 2008 "Slapgate" controversy resurfaced in April 2026, after S. Sreesanth accused Harbhajan Singh of profiting from the incident through a recent commercial. Sreesanth’s explosive interview with the Malayalam news outlet Mathrubhumi highlights a complete breakdown in their relationship. Sreesanth claimed Harbhajan earned between ₹80 lakh and ₹1 crore from a television advertisement that parodied the 2008 slapping incident for comedic effect. According to Sreesanth, Harbhajan called him and requested that he share the advertisement on his personal Instagram stories to help promote it.

"He earned around ₹80 lakh to ₹1 crore from that advertisement which was based on the 2008 incident. It's disappointing that someone would want to make money out of such a painful memory. He had the audacity to call me and ask, 'Sree, can you put this on your Instagram story?' I was shocked. How can you ask me to promote something that mocks me?”

He viewed this as a deep betrayal, stating that while he had previously forgiven the physical assault, he could not "forget" or support the commercialisation of what was a traumatic experience for him. Sreesanth has officially blocked Harbhajan on Instagram and stated that he no longer considers him a "brother" or wants any personal connection with him.

“I have blocked him on Instagram. I don’t want any relationship with him. For me, that chapter is closed forever. I used to call him 'Bhajji Pa' (brother), but not anymore. All those apologies over the years were just an act. It was all for the cameras and to maintain a 'good guy' image. If he really felt sorry, he wouldn't have made that ad.”

 

S.Sreesanth- Harbhajan Singh ‘Slapgate’ controversy

The "Slapgate" controversy is one of the most infamous scandals in cricket history. It refers to a physical altercation between Harbhajan Singh (Mumbai Indians) and S. Sreesanth (Kings XI Punjab) during the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008. Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) at the PCA Stadium in Mohali.During the post-match handshakes, Harbhajan Singh slapped Sreesanth across the face. Television cameras captured Sreesanth in tears on the field shortly after the incident, which shocked the global cricketing community.

The IPL governing body took immediate action. Singh was found guilty of a Level 4 offence. Singh was banned for the remainder of IPL 2008 (11 matches).He was also banned for five ODIs by the BCCI and had to forfeit his entire match fee for the season. In 2025, leaked HD footage released by Lalit Modi showed that the "slap" was actually a forceful back-handed blow delivered as they crossed paths.