Unseen Footage of IPL's Infamous Slapgate Incident Released
Revisiting the Slapgate Controversy
After nearly two decades since the notorious 'Slapgate' incident rocked the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), cricket enthusiasts now have the opportunity to view the event in its raw form. Lalit Modi, the founder and former chairman of the IPL, has unveiled previously unreleased footage of the confrontation between Harbhajan Singh and S Sreesanth during a match between the Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab in 2008.
This incident, where Harbhajan, then the captain of Mumbai Indians, slapped Sreesanth on the field, quickly became one of the most discussed controversies in cricket history. Although the event was extensively covered in the media at the time, the actual footage had remained under wraps until now.
In a recent episode of the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, hosted by former Australian captain Michael Clarke, Modi disclosed that the altercation was captured by a private security camera.
“The game had concluded, and the broadcast cameras were off. One of my security cameras recorded the incident. Bhajji just gave him a back-hander. Here’s the video,” Modi stated, before showcasing the long-hidden footage.
He also elaborated on his reasons for waiting almost 20 years to release the video.
“I hadn’t put it out for so long. We have 18 years behind us for this,” he noted.
One of the wildest moments in IPL history, Unseen footage of the Bhajji–Sreesanth slapgate that never been aired#IPL pic.twitter.com/E9Ux8bodOW
— Vishal (@Fanpointofviews) August 29, 2025
The release of this video comes shortly after Harbhajan publicly reflected on the incident and expressed remorse. In a heartfelt discussion with fellow spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, he confessed,
“If there’s one thing I could change in my career, it would be that incident with Sreesanth. It was wrong, and I apologised countless times. Even years later, I still keep apologising whenever it comes up. It was a mistake.”
As the IPL has evolved into one of cricket's most prestigious and profitable leagues, the resurfacing of the slapgate footage serves as a poignant reminder of its tumultuous beginnings, where fervor, intensity, and controversy frequently intersected both on and off the pitch.
As fans look back on this significant moment from the IPL's first season, the incident remains a crucial part of the league's narrative—a testament that cricket, much like life, is deeply intertwined with human emotions alongside achievements and accolades.