Sreesanth dares Harbhajan to the ring: Do you have the guts?

Former India fast bowler Sreesanth has reignited his long-running feud with Harbhajan Singh, issuing an open challenge to the former spinner for a ring match almost two decades after the infamous IPL ‘slapgate’ incident. During a recent podcast appearance, Sreesanth accused Harbhajan of continuing to profit from the controversy and urged him to settle their differences in a boxing-style competition.

These remarks mark the final chapter in the relationship which seemed to have healed over the years, with both former India teammates publicly moving on from the fallout of the 2008 incident.

The renewed war of words comes after Sreesanth took exception to a recent ad featuring Harbhajan, which he believes referred to the infamous slapgate episode. While pointing to an old promotional picture of the pair dressed in boxing gear and facing each other, Sreesanth asked if Harbhajan would be willing to face him in a real fight.

“Same scene, do you have the guts? Do you have the guts to go to the ring with me? Can you sign and come? I ask him. Do you have the guts to go to the ring with me? Wear the same gloves? This is not acting. I’m smiling. You’re not even smiling, I don’t know what you’re doing. Let’s see,” That’s Sreesanth’s open challenge.

Sreesanth’s open challenge to Harbhajan for a ring fight

If you dare, Bhajji, enter the ring. Enough with the ads.. pic.twitter.com/VQV5f7E1La— Kohlistic (@Kohlistic18) June 18, 2026

The former India pacer doubled down on the challenge by highlighting his recent involvement in combat sports and urged Harbhajan to resolve the matter in the ring and not through advertisements or public references.

“Right now I’m in the bear knee wrestling league. I challenge you Bhajji. If you have such a problem with that slap and me and you earn so much…let me earn too. Come to the ring. I’m calling you from the bottom of my heart. If we have any self-respect, let’s not do commercials and stuff. Come the real way and all the Malayalis please come,” he added.

The comments again pointed out one of them Indian cricket’s most controversial off-field incidents. During the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008, Harbhajan, then representing Mumbai Indians, slapped Sreesanth after 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. Sreesath and Harbhajan during the Slapgate incident in 2008 (Photo (Courtesy: Screengrab from Beyond23 Podcast YouTube))

WHAT TRIGGERED THE LATEST Slump?

Although the two players seemed to have reconciled in the following years, Sreesanth claims that their relationship fell apart again. The former pacer claimed that the recent ad featuring Harbhajan made light of the slapgate controversy and reopened old wounds. He further claimed that Harbhajan benefited financially from the campaign and expressed his frustration that the painful chapter of his career was exploited for commercial purposes.

Despite many public apologies from Harbhajan over the years and several instances of the duo sharing public platforms and advertisements together, Sreesanth has hinted that he has now cut ties with the former spinner again. He revealed that he has blocked Harbhajan and no longer wishes to keep in touch with him.

As things stand, Harbhajan has not publicly responded to Sreesanth’s latest challenge. Whether the remarks will lead to another exchange between the two former cricketers remains to be seen, but the comments have ensured that memories of the 2008 slapgate controversy remain firmly in the limelight.

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Published on:

19 Jun 2026 09:10 IST