Why the 'Slapgate' video was kept buried? Harsha Bhogle weighs in on the release of the Harbhajan-Sreesanth footage | VIDEO

Former IPL commentator Harsha Bhogle has commented on the recent release of previously unseen footage from the infamous 2008 "Slapgate" incident involving Harbhajan Singh and S. Sreesanth. In a revealing tweet, Bhogle reflected on the video's 17-year-long absence from the public eye. He stated, "Interesting that the Harbhajan-Sreesanth video has found its way out after 17 years. Very few of us had seen it, and we had given our word that it would stay out of the public domain because the IPL was in its first year, and it wouldn't have been the best bit of news for it."

Bhogle’s comments highlights the sensitive nature of the footage that captured the moment where Harbhajan Singh is seen slapping Sreesanth following a tense match moment. The incident occurred during the inaugural IPL season when the league was still establishing its reputation both in India and globally.

According to Bhogle, the incident, known as "Slapgate," had remained hidden partly due to an unofficial understanding among those close to the event to protect the young league from early negative publicity. The release of the video now reopens a chapter that many believed had been closed for good.

Earlier, Sreesanth’s wife, Bhuvneshwari, had strongly condemned the release of the video by former IPL chairman Lalit Modi and former Australia captain Michael Clarke, who shared it publicly on his podcast. She described the act as “disgusting, heartless, and inhuman,” criticising the decision to resurface the footage after many years. According to her, both cricketers have moved on with their lives, and such actions only reopen old wounds and affect their families, including their children.