Bhuvneshwari Sreesanth Criticizes Lalit Modi and Michael Clarke for Reviving ‘Slap-Gate’ Controversy
Bhuvneshwari Sreesanth, the wife of former Indian cricketer Sreesanth, has voiced strong criticism against former IPL chairman Lalit Modi and ex-Australian captain Michael Clarke. Her comments came after the duo brought back the notorious “slap-gate” incident involving Harbhajan Singh during a podcast called Beyond23.
The issue resurfaced when Modi revealed he possessed unseen footage from the 2008 incident, which showed Harbhajan hitting Sreesanth after an IPL match between the Mumbai Indians and the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). The video, reportedly from stadium security cameras, was shared during the episode.
In the aftermath of that incident, a visibly shaken Sreesanth was captured in tears on the field. Teammates and opposing players, including former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene and ex-India pacer Irfan Pathan, rushed to comfort him. This early controversy in the IPL became widely known as “slap-gate.”
A Call for Respect
Bhuvneshwari responded to the podcast on social media, expressing her anger at Modi and Clarke’s decision to bring up a painful chapter from the past. She described their actions as a quest for attention at the expense of those involved.
“Shame on you, Lalit Modi and Michael Clarke. You are not even human for dragging up something from 2008 simply for your own cheap publicity and views. Both @sreesanthnair36 and Harbhajan have moved on; they are fathers now with school-going children, and yet you try to open old wounds. It’s disgusting and heartless,” she wrote.
Over time, Harbhajan Singh has acknowledged his regret over the incident, while Sreesanth has consistently stated he has moved past it. The two cricketers shared the field during significant moments, including India’s historic win at the T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2007.
Despite their efforts to move forward, the resurfacing of the footage in the podcast has reignited debates on social media.
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