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"You Hit My Father": Harbhajan Singh Recalls Painful Encounter With Sreesanth's Daughter

Akshita Patel

Harbhajan Singh regrets slapping Sreesanth [Source: @ramswaroop__db, @ImTanujSingh/X.com]Harbhajan Singh regrets slapping Sreesanth [Source: @ramswaroop__db, @ImTanujSingh/X.com]

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has opened up about one of the darkest moments of his career, the infamous “slapgate” incident with fellow cricketer Sreesanth. On a talk show with Ashwin, Harbhajan recalled a heartbreaking meeting with Sreesanth’s daughter, where she refused to talk to him.

The controversy took place after a 2008 IPL match between the Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab in Mohali. Harbhajan, who was playing for Mumbai, lost his cool and slapped Sreesanth on the field. The incident led to massive criticism, and Harbhajan was banned from the rest of the tournament.

Harbhajan Singh Regrets Slapping Sreesanth After 18 Years

More than 15 years later, Harbhajan Singh still regrets his actions. Speaking on Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube show ‘Kutti Stories,’ he shared a deeply emotional moment when he met Sreesanth’s daughter.

“One thing I’d want to change in my life is that incident with Sreesanth. I want to remove that incident from my career. That is the incident I would change from my list. What transpired was wrong, and I shouldn’t have done what I did. I apologised 200 times (to Sreesanth)," Harbhajan said.

He said the kid refused to talk to him since he had slapped her father. That incident broke Bhajji’s heart, as he felt his actions had scared a child. He added that he hopes Sreesanth’s daughter will see him differently when she grows up and think of him as someone who cares for her like an uncle.

“What hurt me even after many years was when I met his daughter and I was talking to her with a lot of love, and she said, ‘I don’t want to talk to you. You hit my father.’ My heart was shattered, and I was on the verge of tears. I was asking myself, what is the impression I’ve left on her? She must be thinking of me in a poor light, right? She sees me as the guy who hit her father. I felt so bad," he added.


"I still apologise to his daughter that I can’t do anything. I keep telling her, ‘But if there’s anything I can do to make you feel better and make you think I’m not that kind of person, please tell me.’ I wish, when she grows up, she doesn’t see me in the same light. And think her uncle will always be with her and extend any kind of support he can. That’s why I want to remove that chapter,” Singh concluded.

Despite many apologies, the incident continues to follow Harbhajan. Sreesanth, on the other hand, has claimed that the real video of the incident was never released and alleged that Harbhajan elbowed him, not slapped him.

That being said, despite the controversy, both cricketers have made peace and are often seen together in shows. The enmity no longer exists, but the memory sadly will remain etched in every cricket fan’s heart for life.