Sreesanth accuses Harbhajan of making 'Rs 1 crore' from 'Slapgate' controversy: 'I'll forgive, but I'll never forget'

It's been nearly two decades since the infamous 'Slapgate' incident, in which spin legend Harbhajan Singh slapped former India teammate S Sreesanth after a match in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League in 2008.

The two appeared to have patched up as the years went by, having made a number of public appearances together, with Harbhajan expressing regret over the infamous incident and Sreesanth laughing it off in interviews.

Sreesanth slams 'Bhajji' for profiting from 'Slapgate'

Sreesanth, however, reignited the controversy by accusing Harbhajan of profiting from the scandal and subsequently blocking the former off-spinner on social media. The former India pacer revealed that Harbhajan had recently appeared in an advertisement that attempted to portray the controversial incident in a humorous manner, for which he had been paid up to Rs 1 crore.

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As if that wasn't all, Sreesanth further claimed that 'Bhajji' asked him to share the advert on his social media channels, something that did not sit well with him.

"I have never spoken about Bhajji in any interview. This is going to be the first time. Until recently, there were no problems, but he made an ad about it once again. He made around ₹80 lakh to ₹1 crore off it. He then called me and asked me to put a story on it. I told him, ‘I'll forgive, but I'll never forget," Sreesanth told Mathrubhumi.

"If someone wrongs you, you should forgive them, but never forget. If you forget, they will do the same thing again. He is the biggest example of that. There is no doubt about that," he added.

'I used to call him a brother'

Sreesanth, who had represented India in 27 Tests and 53 ODIs besides 10 T20Is, further revealed that he used to call Harbhajan his "brother", but has now blocked him on social media after the ad.

"I have no relationship with that person. I used to call him a brother. But in that last 1 or 2 months, he did that ad, and now I have blocked him on Instagram," Sreesanth continued.

“My parents have taught me to forgive but never forget. I don't have any complaints against him, nor do I need him. May God bless him and his family.

"In many interviews, even with Ashwin, he talked about my daughter. People will think, ‘Oh, what a great person he is.’ He might be a great person. But for me, from my time playing for India to now, in my opinion, it's all an act. That act is something Sreesanth doesn't accept," he added.

Harbhajan and Sreesanth were representing Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) respectively that season, and the incident – among the biggest controversies in IPL history – took place after Punjab's home game against Mumbai at the IS Bindra PCA Stadium in Mohali.

'Bhajji' – who had collected 701 wickets for India in an 18-year international career including 417 in Tests – was banned for the rest of the season by the BCCI and was also handed a five-match ODI ban over the incident while Sreesanth was let off with a warning.

The broadcasters did not telecast footage of the slap itself at the time, cutting straight to visuals of a teary-eyed Sreesanth who was being consoled by his teammates.

Footage of the slap also remained hidden from public until former IPL chairman and BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi finally revealed it after 17 years in a podcast with former Australia captain Michael Clarke last year.