The long-standing rift between former India teammates Harbhajan Singh and S. Sreesanth has once again grabbed attention, almost 18 years after their infamous 2008 IPL controversy. The fallout from the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League has resurfaced after Sreesanth publicly challenged Harbhajan to settle their differences inside a boxing ring. Harbhajan, meanwhile, has indicated that he is open to putting the past behind them and even suggested that spending time together could help resolve their differences.
Harbhajan open to sharing room with Sreesanth
Speaking to PTI, Harbhajan said he believes that keeping the two former teammates together could help clear the air.“If both of us are in the same room, a lot of things will get solved. I see it from that perspective. You can pick him as my roommate. I have no problems,” Harbhajan said in an interview with PTI.
What happened in the 2008 ‘Slapgate’ controversy?
The controversy erupted after a match in IPL 2008 when Harbhajan slapped Sreesanth. Television footage of an emotional Sreesanth on the field quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the tournament. Harbhajan was subsequently handed an 11-match IPL suspension and fined heavily for the incident.Despite the fallout, the two players later continued to share the Indian dressing room. They were part of India’s title-winning campaigns at the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.
Sreesanth issues boxing challenge
The latest chapter began when Sreesanth was shown an old photograph featuring him and Harbhajan wearing boxing gloves during an interaction. The former India pacer then turned the moment into a direct challenge, asking Harbhajan to face him in a boxing ring.“This same scene, do you have the guts? Do you have the guts to come into the ring with me? Can you sign and come? Can you? I am asking him. Do you have the guts to come into the ring with me? Wearing this same gloves… This is not acting, I am smiling. You are not even smiling, I don’t know what you are doing. Let’s see. This is an open challenge,” Sreesanth said.