Sports Desk
30 August 2025, 10:24 PM IST
Sreesanth’s wife, Bhuvneshwari, criticized the release, calling it “disgusting and heartless,” highlighting the resurfacing trauma for their family
A combo picture of S Sreesanth (L), Harbhajan Singh (C) and Preity Zinta (R). Harbhajan slapped Sreesanth during an IPL match at Mohali in 2008, | File Photo: PTI
Former Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi has responded to criticism from Bhuvneshwari, wife of cricketer S. Sreesanth, after she condemned him and Michael Clarke for releasing a previously unseen video of the 2008 IPL Slap-gate incident involving Sreesanth and Harbhajan Singh.
Why did the controversy emerge?
The debate erupted after Modi and Clarke spoke about memorable IPL moments on a podcast, where Modi released the unseen footage showing Harbhajan Singh delivering a backhanded slap to Sreesanth during post-match handshakes, following a fixture between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). At the time, Harbhajan received an 11-match suspension for his actions.
Modi explained, “I don’t know why she (Sreesanth’s wife Bhuvneshwari) is getting angry. I was asked a question, and I shared the truth. I can’t do anything about that. I am known to speak the truth. Sree was the victim, and that’s exactly what I said. No one had asked me this question earlier, so when Clarke quipped, I responded.”
Modi described the video to Clarke, saying it was captured by his security camera after broadcasters had switched off theirs. The clip shows Harbhajan calling Sreesanth over during the handshakes and then striking him with a backhanded slap.
Bhuvneshwari took to social media to voice her anger, calling the release “disgusting, heartless and inhuman.” She stated, “Shame on you @lalitkmodi and @michaelclarkeofficial. You people are not even human to drag up something from 2008 just for your own cheap publicity and views. Both @sreesanthnair36 and Harbhajan have long moved on in life and are fathers now with school-going children, and yet you try to throw them back into an old wound. Absolutely disgusting, heartless, and inhuman.”
Sreesanth also re-shared her posts on Instagram.
Bhuvneshwari further highlighted the emotional toll, writing: “@sreesanthnair36 has rebuilt his life with dignity and grace after every hardship he faced. As his wife and as the mother of his children, it is deeply painful for our family to see this resurface after 18 long years. Families are being forced to relive trauma that was buried decades ago, only so you can chase views. This doesn’t just hurt the players; it scars their innocent children who now have to face questions and shame for no fault of theirs.”
She emphasised the family’s plea, urging Modi and Clarke to reconsider their actions: “Fear God. You are causing pain to families and innocent children for your own benefit.”
Modi noted that both cricketers have made peace, appearing together on commentary and in advertising, and Harbhajan has publicly apologised multiple times for his conduct.
IANS Inputs
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