Harbhajan Singh recalls an intense chat with Sreesanth’s daughter -‘I Don’t want to talk to you because you hit my father’

Legendary India spinner Harbhajan Singh recently disclosed an emotional moment from the infamous slapgate incident involving pacer Sreesanth during the first IPL season in 2008. Harbhajan described how an emotional conversation with Sreesanth’s daughter filled him with remorse and regret.

The contentious event occurred following a match between the Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab in Mohali. Harbhajan, who was leading Mumbai in Sachin Tendulkar‘s absence, allegedly smacked Sreesanth at the post-match handshake after the latter smiled and shouted “Hard luck” following Punjab’s triumph. The images of a weeping Sreesanth went viral.

While Harbhajan was suspended for the remainder of the season, the incident sparked extensive debate and strained relations between the two teammates, despite both continuing to represent India and subsequently winning the 2011 World Cup together. The spinner described his interaction with the pacer’s daughter, which brought tears to his eyes.

“I’d like to change one thing in my life: the incident with Sreesanth. I want to get rid of the incident from my career. That is the occurrence that I would remove off my list. What happened was terrible, and I should not have done what I did. I apologised 200 times. What made me feel so horrible was that even years later, I apologised at every opportunity or stage I got. This was a mistake.

What upset me even after many years was when I met his kid and was talking to her with a lot of love when she responded, ‘I don’t want to talk to you. You struck my father. My heart was devastated and I was on the edge of crying. I was wondering what impression I had left on her. She must be thinking negatively about me, right? She sees me as the one who hit her father. I really felt horrible.

“I still apologise to his daughter for being unable to do anything,” Harbhajan Singh remarked on Kutti Stories with Ash.

Despite the consequences, Harbhajan and Sreesanth have now worked out the concerns. They continued to play together after the incident, even competing in veterans’ cricket competitions. Harbhajan stated that he has since apologised to Sreesanth for his actions.