S. Sreesanth, a former India pacer has come out to comment in Slapgate scandal in the 2008 Indian Premier League, as to why he had not reacted when he was hit by a former spinner, Harbhajan Singh, in one of the matches. Kerala cricketer indicated that he was regularly questioned, especially by Malayalis, as to why he did nothing to fight back despite his violent nature on the field of play.
The event took place in Mohali in the first season of IPL when Harbhajan, who was the captain of Mumbai Indians at that time, smacked Sreesanth when Kings XI Punjab defeated MI. Sreesanth was caught on live television crying and this was the first major controversy that occurred in the league. Although the confrontation was extensively covered, the video recording remained a secret over 18 years, held by the BCCI and other TV outlets.
The same issue was revisited this year as the former IPL chairman Lalit Modi posted the previously un-aired tape on the Beyond 23 podcast and fans and family members, including the wife of Sreesanth and Harbhajan himself, reacted to it. Sreesanth answered the long-standing questions of why he had not reacted based on the grounds that Malayali fans have faulted his silence especially.
“Many Malayalis have asked me why I didn’t hit back despite showing so much aggression. Some even said I should have hit him down to ground. If I had, I would have faced a lifetime ban. Kerala didn’t have that much power back then. I was the only one playing from Kerala,” he said on a YouTube show with Ranjini Haridas.
The former pacer further stated that retaliating would have jeopardised the futures of future Kerala cricketers who want to play for India.
“Sanju (Sanju Samson) shouldn’t feel anything. Sachin Baby and Nidheesh (M. D. Nidheesh) shouldn’t feel anything. Because I didn’t hit back, a few people were spared. Don’t think I’m saying this out of superiority. That’s my reason. They’ve mentioned it in many stories. When we are powerful, we should use it to help others. My father always says, when we have power, we should help others, not show off in front of those more powerful,” he added.
Sreesanth’s Family Seeks Action as Harbhajan Urges Everyone to Move On
The leaked footage shows Harbhajan summoning Sreesanth over before striking him. Senior players such as Mahela Jayawardene and Irfan Pathan acted fast to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
Bhuvaneshwari, the wife of Sreesanth, complained that the film was being propagated after 20 years saying that it resurfaced past wounds and exposed their children to unnecessary scrutiny. She too demanded prosecution of both Harbhajan and Lalit Modi. Harbhajan, who was suspended with 11 matches back in 2008, has apologized on numerous occasions over the years. He reacted to the video leak by accusing Modi of being driven by selfish interest and said that it was time to move on.
