“Earned ₹1 Crore From Slapgate”: Sreesanth Targets Harbhajan Over Controversial IPL Ad

Former India fast bowler S Sreesanth has reignited one of the most controversial chapters in IPL history, accusing Harbhajan Singh of profiting from the infamous 2008 'Slapgate' incident through a commercial advertisement.

Speaking in a recent interview, Sreesanth alleged that Harbhajan earned close to ₹1 crore from a television advertisement that referenced the incident, calling the move disrespectful and claiming it permanently damaged any possibility of reconciliation between the two.

The remarks have reopened debate around the IPL's first major controversy, nearly two decades after the original incident shook the tournament.

Sreesanth alleges Harbhajan earned up to ₹1 crore

According to Sreesanth, the relationship between the two former teammates had remained stable for years until Harbhajan appeared in a commercial that revisited the 2008 incident in a humorous context.

The Kerala pacer claimed the advertisement crossed a personal boundary, especially after Harbhajan allegedly asked him to promote the same video on social media.

Sreesanth stated that the financial aspect of the advertisement was particularly troubling.

He claimed that Harbhajan earned between ₹80 lakh and ₹1 crore from the campaign, adding that the attempt to monetise the controversy was the moment their relationship deteriorated completely.

In the interview, Sreesanth explained that while he had chosen forgiveness in the past, he had never forgotten the incident and felt deeply hurt by its commercialisation.

Sreesanth says reconciliation attempts were 'performative'

The former India pacer also questioned the authenticity of public reconciliation between the two, suggesting that Harbhajan's gestures over the years appeared more symbolic than sincere.

He stated that although the two had publicly moved on from the incident, the advertisement reinforced his belief that the apology narrative was not genuine.

Sreesanth revealed that he had recently taken a definitive step in distancing himself from Harbhajan by blocking him on Instagram.

He said that while he does not hold ongoing complaints, he no longer maintains any personal relationship with his former teammate.

According to him, forgiveness does not necessarily mean restoring trust, particularly when actions revive painful memories.

What was the IPL 2008 'Slapgate' controversy?

The controversy dates back to April 2008 during the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League.

Following a match between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab, Harbhajan Singh was accused of slapping Sreesanth during the post-match handshake line.

Television cameras captured Sreesanth in tears shortly after the incident, and the images quickly spread across media platforms, turning it into the first major viral controversy in IPL history.

The disciplinary action was swift.

Harbhajan Singh was banned for the remainder of the 2008 season and fined his entire match fee. The incident also became one of the defining early controversies of the IPL era.

Fresh footage release last year revived debate around incident

The controversy resurfaced again last year when previously unseen high-definition footage of the altercation was released by former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi.

The footage provided clearer visuals of the incident than earlier broadcasts, prompting renewed public discussion about the events of 2008.

At the time, Harbhajan reiterated his regret, describing the incident as a mistake he wished he could undo.

However, Sreesanth's latest comments suggest that those apologies no longer hold weight in his view, particularly after the advertisement controversy.

Why the controversy continues to resonate in IPL history

Nearly two decades after it occurred, the IPL 'Slapgate' incident remains one of the most widely discussed moments in the league's history.

It marked the first major disciplinary crisis in the IPL and shaped early conversations around player conduct and league governance.

Sreesanth's recent remarks have once again brought attention to unresolved emotions tied to the incident, highlighting how past controversies can continue to influence relationships long after the original event.

With the IPL continuing to grow in global stature, the resurfacing of such disputes underscores how deeply some moments remain embedded in the league's history.