Former India fast bowler S Sreesanth has once again stirred headlines by reigniting his long-standing feud with former teammate Harbhajan Singh. Nearly two decades after the infamous IPL “Slapgate” controversy, Sreesanth has publicly challenged Harbhajan to a boxing-style fight, accusing the former spinner of continuing to benefit from one of Indian cricket’s most controversial incidents.
The latest chapter in the saga unfolded during Sreesanth’s appearance on The Lallantop podcast, where he expressed his frustration over a recent advertisement featuring Harbhajan Singh. According to Sreesanth, the commercial indirectly referenced the 2008 IPL incident, reopening old wounds that he believed had long been buried. The former pacer pointed to an old promotional image featuring both cricketers in boxing gear and asked whether Harbhajan would be willing to settle their differences in a real ring.
“This same scene, do you have the guts? Do you have the guts to come into the ring with me? Can you sign and come? I am asking him. Do you have the guts to come into the ring with me? Wearing these same gloves? This is not acting. I am smiling. You are not even smiling, I don’t know what you are doing. Let’s see. This is an open challenge,” S Sreesanth said.
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The 42-year-old did not stop there. Highlighting his recent involvement in combat sports, Sreesanth revealed that he is currently associated with the Bear Knuckle Fight League and invited Harbhajan to face him in a genuine contest rather than using the controversy in advertisements.
“I am currently in the Bear Knuckle Fight League. I am challenging you, Bhajji. If you have this much of a problem with the slap thing and me, and you earn this much… let me earn too. Come into the ring. I am calling you from my heart. If we have some self-respect, let’s not do ads and all that. In a genuine way, for all the Malayalis and all the Sardars, please come. I am waiting,” he added.
The remarks have once again drawn attention to the infamous 2008 IPL incident in which Harbhajan, representing the Mumbai Indians, slapped S Sreesanth after a match against the Kings XI Punjab. Images of an emotional Sreesanth became one of the defining moments of the inaugural IPL season and resulted in disciplinary action against Harbhajan.
Over the years, both former India cricketers appeared to have moved past the controversy. They shared television appearances, public events, and even advertisements, giving the impression that their differences had been resolved.
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However, Sreesanth now claims the relationship has deteriorated once again. He alleged that Harbhajan’s recent advertisement made light of a painful episode in his career and suggested that the former spinner was commercially benefiting from the incident. Sreesanth also revealed that he has blocked Harbhajan and no longer maintains contact with him.
As of now, Harbhajan Singh has not responded publicly to the challenge. Whether the latest comments trigger another public exchange remains uncertain, but they have undoubtedly brought one of Indian cricket’s most talked-about controversies back into the spotlight.
