A shocking video has recently resurfaced, reigniting memories of the infamous “Slapgate” controversy from the very first season of the Indian Premier League in 2008. The incident unfolded on April 25 during a match between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab at the PCA Stadium in Mohali. After the match ended and players lined up for the customary handshakes, Harbhajan Singh, who was standing in as Mumbai’s captain, slapped Punjab pacer S. Sreesanth. Although the actual moment was not fully televised, cameras later caught a heartbroken Sreesanth breaking down in tears on the field.
At that time, Harbhajan was leading the Mumbai Indians in the absence of Sachin Tendulkar, who was sidelined due to injury. Following Punjab’s win, Sreesanth approached Harbhajan during the handshake routine. Though the exact slap was not clearly broadcast, the aftermath showed Sreesanth visibly emotional and struggling to hold back tears. The images of a teary Sreesanth quickly spread, leaving fans and players stunned.
Adding to the drama, Preity Zinta, co-owner of Kings XI Punjab, was seen comforting the distraught Sreesanth as television cameras zoomed in on the emotional moment. The footage of Sreesanth crying on the field became one of the most unforgettable and controversial visuals in IPL history.
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
Interestingly, Harbhajan appeared largely unbothered in the immediate aftermath. He continued shaking hands with other players and walked off the field as if nothing significant had happened. His frustration stemmed from Mumbai’s poor performance, as the team had just suffered their third consecutive defeat in the tournament.
Reports later suggested that the spark for the incident was Sreesanth’s casual remark of “hard luck” to Harbhajan after the match. Already agitated by his team’s losses, Harbhajan allegedly lost his temper at the comment and, in a fit of anger, struck Sreesanth. What followed was one of the earliest controversies in IPL history, remembered even today as a defining off-field drama of the league’s first season.