14 years after ‘Slapgate’ incident, S Sreesanth talks about his relationship with Harbhajan Singh

India’s triumph in the 2007 20-20 World Cup in South Africa led to the MS Dhoni led side being crowned inaugural T20 champions. Right after India’s high, this gave rise to the Indian T20 League in 2008. One of the many incidents that are etched in fans’ memory is the showdown between Sreesanth and Harbhajan Singh.

The incident led to Sreesanth crying bitterly on the field and it also meant that Harbhajan was removed from captaincy and was banned for the remainder of the season. Sreesanth has now opened up and said that what he did was wrong then. The Kerala pacer also said that Harbhajan and he remain good friends even today. The right-arm pacer said that he was thankful for Harbhajan’s guidance when he was new in international cricket.

I feel that there was no need for the altercation with Sreesanth – Harbhajan Singh

“We have always been friends. That was just a misunderstanding, and the media made a big noise out of it. I will just say that Bhajji pa has supported me from the beginning in every way, including recently with commentary tips. He has supported me and helped me a lot and I am very thankful to him. There is that song, ‘Tere jaisa yaar kaha’, that is my relationship with him,” Sreesanth said on Sports Yaari.

“What happened was wrong. I made a mistake. Because of me, my teammate had to face embarrassment. I was embarrassed. If I had to correct one mistake, it was how I treated Sreesanth on the field. It should not have happened. When I think about it, I feel there was no need,” Harbhajan said. The former India off-spinner deeply regretted his actions. Both of them were part of the India team that lifted the ODI World Cup in 2011.

The duo also scripted history for India in 2007 when India beat Pakistan by five runs at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg in the final of the 20-20 World Cup 2007. Both of them have been loyal servants of Indian cricket and served the country for many years with their exploits on the cricket field. Harbhajan played for India Maharajah’s in the third season of Legends League Cricket Masters. Sreesanth has also played in the second edition of the tournament.