Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: The long-standing tension between S Sreesanth and Harbhajan Singh has resurfaced, and this time it appears to have completely ended their relationship. The two former India teammates, once involved in the infamous 2008 IPL “slapgate” incident, had seemingly moved on over the years. However, recent developments have reopened old wounds, with Sreesanth making it clear that he no longer shares any bond with Harbhajan and has even blocked him on social media.
According to Sreesanth, the issue flared up again after Harbhajan allegedly featured in an advertisement based on the slapgate controversy.This, he claims, was deeply upsetting. As quoted by Mathrubhumi, he said, “I have never spoken about Bhajji in any interview. This is going to be the first time,” before adding, “Until recently, there were no problems, but he made an ad about it once again. He made around Rs 80 lakh to Rs 1 crore off it. He then called me and asked me to post a story about it. I told him, ‘I’ll forgive but I’ll never forget.’ 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 it.”
‘No relationship anymore’
Sreesanth didn’t hold back while describing how things stand now. “I have no relationship with that person. I used to call him a brother. But in the last one or two months he did that ad, and now I have blocked him on Instagram,” he said, underlining how serious the fallout has become.Despite saying he has forgiven Harbhajan for the past, Sreesanth insisted he hasn’t forgotten it. “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,” the former pacer added.However, he also questioned Harbhajan’s public persona, stating, “He might be a great person. But for me, from my time playing for India until now, it is all an act. That act is something Sreesanth does not accept.”
