The most infamous rivalry in Indian Premier League history has taken an unexpected, combat-sports-inspired turn. Former India off-spinner and current politician Harbhajan Singh has delivered a sharp, cryptic response to his ex-national teammate S. Sreesanth, who recently dared him to step into a boxing ring to settle their differences. Refusing to dignify the call-out with direct engagement, Harbhajan uploaded a video message targeting the Kerala pacer’s remarks, dismissing them through an old adage on attention-seeking behavior.
“Kisine bohot khub kaha hai ki karne do jo log bakwaas karte hain… hamesha khaali bartan hi toh awaaz karte hain (Someone has beautifully said, let people speak their nonsense… it is always the empty vessels that make the most noise).” — Harbhajan Singh
The tension resurfaced during Sreesanth’s recent appearance on a digital podcast. The fiery fast bowler openly reignited the narrative surrounding the 2008 “Slapgate” scandal, aggressively questioning whether Harbhajan possessed the “guts” to put on gloves and settle the score in a structured, boxing-style showdown. While the two veterans shared historic highs together—notably lifting the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup under MS Dhoni—this sudden escalation reveals that the psychological scars from the inaugural IPL season remain entirely unhealed.
Harbhajan Singh vs S. Sreesanth Feud Profile
| Feud Flashpoints | Historical Context & Timeline |
| The Origin Event | IPL 2008 Slapgate (Harbhajan slapped Sreesanth after a MI vs KXIP fixture) |
| Initial Consequence | Harbhajan banned for the remaining IPL 2008 season; severe BCCI disciplinary action |
| 2026 Friction Point | Sreesanth accuses Harbhajan of profiting from a commercial ad referencing the slap |
| Current Stand | Social Media Blocked (Sreesanth confirms he no longer considers Harbhajan a friend) |
| The Retaliation | Harbhajan labels the boxing ring challenge as mere “empty vessel” noise |
From Commercial Backlash to Total Fallout
The modern-day friction between the two icons actually reignited earlier in 2026. Sreesanth publicly voiced extreme frustration over a promotional advertisement campaign featuring Harbhajan, claiming the veteran spinner heavily commercialized and financially profited from the trauma of the 2008 incident. The pacer subsequently confirmed that he has completely blocked Harbhajan across all mainstream social media applications, completely severing whatever fragile, post-retirement friendship the two had managed to build during senior national team reunions.
Back in 2008, the physical altercation resulted in a complete tournament ban for Harbhajan and stood as a dark stain on the tournament’s inaugural year.
While cricket fans initially believed time had repaired the bridge, Sreesanth’s call-out and Harbhajan’s “empty vessel” retaliation prove that the underlying bad blood is very much alive. With Harbhajan heavily occupied with political duties and veteran cricket leagues, it is highly unlikely this beef will ever make it to an actual boxing ring, remaining instead a war of words across media channels.