Sreesanth slams Harbhajan: Calls him an 'actor'; opens up on IPL spot-fixing, jail time

Former Indian fast bowler S. Sreesanth has issued a series of explosive statements directed at Harbhajan Singh, characterising the veteran spinner’s public persona as "mere acting" while revisiting the controversies that defined his own turbulent career.

In a candid interview with Mathrubhumi.com, Sreesanth addressed the infamous 2008 "Slapgate" incident, asserting that he narrowly avoided a lifetime ban by not retaliating. He also reflected on the 2013 IPL spot-fixing allegations, attributing his legal difficulties to his flamboyant lifestyle rather than his performance on the field.

Revisiting the Spot-Fixing Allegations

Sreesanth challenged the foundational claims of the 2013 spot-fixing case, which centred on an over he bowled against the Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab). He argued that the prosecution's logic was flawed because he did not concede the 14 runs allegedly required by bookmakers.

"The allegation was that I had to give away 14 or more runs in an over during the IPL. But more than 14 runs were never conceded in that over; it was 13 runs," Sreesanth said. "Right there, the case itself falls apart. If it’s about betting, and you don’t give away more than 14 runs, then it isn’t betting at all—it gets cancelled."

The pacer noted that the over included no extras and was faced by elite Australian batsmen Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh. He suggested that if such expensive overs were inherently suspicious, modern fans would have to doubt the entire league, given that "players concede 25, 28, or 32 runs in an over" today.

Lifestyle and Lack of Regret

Sreesanth claimed he has "zero regrets" regarding his career trajectory or his incarceration in Tihar Jail. He suggested that his legal troubles were a culmination of his personal choices and the public perception of his wealth rather than a single sporting moment.

"I suffered for what I did in the previous years. That over wasn't the problem; my lifestyle before that was," he admitted. He urged young athletes to remain authentic rather than seeking to appease everyone, noting that he reached the pinnacle of the sport with two World Cup titles despite his journey.

He spoke emotionally about the loyalty of his wife, Bhuvneshwari, who supported him while he was labelled a "terrorist" and a criminal in the media. Sreesanth revealed that while he was imprisoned, his wife slept on the kitchen floor without climate control out of solidarity. "It was Bhuvneshwari who pointed out all the legal points related to the case," he added.

The Harbhajan Singh Rivalry

The pacer offered a sharp critique of Harbhajan Singh, claiming the legendary spinner capitalised on their 2008 altercation for financial gain. Sreesanth alleged that Harbhajan recently earned significant sums from an advertisement parodying the slap incident and requested Sreesanth’s social media support for it.

"I said I can forgive, but I won't forget," Sreesanth remarked. He disclosed that he has since blocked Harbhajan on Instagram, stating, "from the time we played in the Indian team until now, it was mere acting."

Sreesanth dismissed the idea that his emotional reaction in 2008 shamed his home state of Kerala. He maintained that his competitive fire was a point of pride and that his restraint during the physical altercation saved his career. "If I had hit him back or pushed him... I actually went to push him, but luckily, Brett Lee and others held me back," he recalled, noting that a counter-attack would have resulted in a permanent ban from the sport.