Sreesanth dares Harbhajan to ring fight: Have you got the guts?
Sreesanth has openly challenged Harbhajan Singh to enter the ring after taking offence at an advertisement he says referenced the 2008 slapgate episode. The outburst drags one of Indian cricket's ugliest off-field rows back into view and raises fresh questions about profiting from old humiliation.
Former India fast bowler Sreesanth has reignited his long-running feud with Harbhajan Singh, issuing an open challenge to the former spinner for an in-ring fight nearly two decades after the infamous IPL 'slapgate' incident. Speaking during a recent podcast appearance, Sreesanth accused Harbhajan of continuing to profit from the controversy and challenged him to settle their differences in a boxing-style contest.
The remarks mark the latest chapter in a relationship that appeared to have healed over the years, with both former India teammates having publicly moved on from the fallout of the 2008 incident.
The renewed war of words comes after Sreesanth took exception to a recent advertisement featuring Harbhajan, which he believes referenced the infamous slapgate episode. While pointing to an old promotional image of the pair wearing boxing attire and facing off, Sreesanth questioned whether Harbhajan would be willing to face him in an actual fight.
"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? I am asking him. Do you have the guts to come into the ring with me? Wearing these 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 told Lallantop.
The former India pacer doubled down on the challenge by highlighting his recent involvement in combat sports and urging Harbhajan to settle the matter in the ring rather than through advertisements or public references.
"I am currently in the Bear Knuckle Fight League. I am challenging you, Bhajji. If you have this much of a problem with the slap thing and me, and you earn this much... let me earn too. Come into the ring. I am calling you from my heart. If we have some self-respect, let's not do ads and all that. In a genuine way, for all the Malayalis and all the Sardars, please come. I am waiting," he added.
The comments have once again brought attention to one of Indian cricket's most controversial off-field incidents. During the inaugural IPL season in 2008, Harbhajan, then representing Mumbai Indians, slapped Sreesanth following a match against Kings XI Punjab. Images of a tearful Sreesanth quickly became one of the defining moments of that season, leading to widespread criticism and disciplinary action against Harbhajan.
WHAT TRIGGERED THE LATEST FALLOUT?
Although both players appeared to have reconciled in the years that followed, Sreesanth claims their relationship has once again broken down. The former pacer alleged that a recent advertisement featuring Harbhajan made light of the slapgate controversy, reopening old wounds. He further claimed that Harbhajan benefited financially from the campaign and expressed frustration that a painful chapter of his career was being used for commercial purposes.
Despite multiple public apologies from Harbhajan over the years and several instances of the duo sharing public platforms and advertisements together, Sreesanth indicated that he has now cut ties with the former spinner once again. He revealed that he has blocked Harbhajan and no longer wishes to maintain contact with him.
As things stand, Harbhajan has not publicly responded to Sreesanth's latest challenge. Whether the remarks lead to another exchange between the two former cricketers remains to be seen, but the comments have ensured that the memories of the 2008 slapgate controversy remain firmly in the spotlight.
Former India fast bowler Sreesanth has reignited his long-running feud with Harbhajan Singh, issuing an open challenge to the former spinner for an in-ring fight nearly two decades after the infamous IPL 'slapgate' incident. Speaking during a recent podcast appearance, Sreesanth accused Harbhajan of continuing to profit from the controversy and challenged him to settle their differences in a boxing-style contest.
The remarks mark the latest chapter in a relationship that appeared to have healed over the years, with both former India teammates having publicly moved on from the fallout of the 2008 incident.
The renewed war of words comes after Sreesanth took exception to a recent advertisement featuring Harbhajan, which he believes referenced the infamous slapgate episode. While pointing to an old promotional image of the pair wearing boxing attire and facing off, Sreesanth questioned whether Harbhajan would be willing to face him in an actual fight.
"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? I am asking him. Do you have the guts to come into the ring with me? Wearing these 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 told Lallantop.
The former India pacer doubled down on the challenge by highlighting his recent involvement in combat sports and urging Harbhajan to settle the matter in the ring rather than through advertisements or public references.
"I am currently in the Bear Knuckle Fight League. I am challenging you, Bhajji. If you have this much of a problem with the slap thing and me, and you earn this much... let me earn too. Come into the ring. I am calling you from my heart. If we have some self-respect, let's not do ads and all that. In a genuine way, for all the Malayalis and all the Sardars, please come. I am waiting," he added.
The comments have once again brought attention to one of Indian cricket's most controversial off-field incidents. During the inaugural IPL season in 2008, Harbhajan, then representing Mumbai Indians, slapped Sreesanth following a match against Kings XI Punjab. Images of a tearful Sreesanth quickly became one of the defining moments of that season, leading to widespread criticism and disciplinary action against Harbhajan.
WHAT TRIGGERED THE LATEST FALLOUT?
Although both players appeared to have reconciled in the years that followed, Sreesanth claims their relationship has once again broken down. The former pacer alleged that a recent advertisement featuring Harbhajan made light of the slapgate controversy, reopening old wounds. He further claimed that Harbhajan benefited financially from the campaign and expressed frustration that a painful chapter of his career was being used for commercial purposes.
Despite multiple public apologies from Harbhajan over the years and several instances of the duo sharing public platforms and advertisements together, Sreesanth indicated that he has now cut ties with the former spinner once again. He revealed that he has blocked Harbhajan and no longer wishes to maintain contact with him.
As things stand, Harbhajan has not publicly responded to Sreesanth's latest challenge. Whether the remarks lead to another exchange between the two former cricketers remains to be seen, but the comments have ensured that the memories of the 2008 slapgate controversy remain firmly in the spotlight.
