Harbhajan Singh, a former Indian spinner, expressed his regret for his infamous argument with S Sreesanth in the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008.
after a tense match between Kings XI Punjab (now renamed Punjab Kings) and the Mumbai Indians (MI), Harbhajan allegedly slapped Sreesanth after tensions between the two Indian players flared. Due to his actions, the off-spinner got an 11-match ban and missed the season.
Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel that he should not have sunk so low and that what he had done was extremely wrong:
“This fight will not end here, because a lot will be spoken about it. Who said what and why? Everything will be revealed in time. As a player, I have lived this, there was an incident that involved Sreesanth as well, something similar like this happened in 2008.”
He continued:
“Even after 15 years, I am deeply ashamed of that altercation. Gestures are not right, at that time I used to think what has happened is done and I am always right, but I was wrong and what I did was very wrong.”
The two have long since reunited and are now part of the broadcast team for the current IPL 2023.
“I regret that incident very much”: Harbhajan Singh
The altercation between the two players was one of the most talked-about tales of the IPL’s inaugural season. While Harbhajan Singh was involved in several fights throughout his career, this one had the most serious consequences.
Offering to help settle the dispute between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir, he said:
“When I look back on my incident with Sreesanth, I always think that I should not have done it. I regret that incident very much. You should try to make good memories. I think that these two need to forget what happened today itself and finish the matter. Just meet and talk and resolve this, even I am ready to come and help.”
Following the game on Monday, May 1, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batter Kohli and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) coach Gambhir were seen exchanging heated words. The duo were penalised heavily for the incident, in which LSG bowler Naveen-ul-Haq was also engaged.