“It is the head of the anaconda that keeps on rising”- Ashwin reacts to Slapgate video footage controversy
Indian Premier League founder Lalit Modi received heavy backlash after he released the unseen video footage of the Slapgate controversy after 18 years on Michael Clarke’s Beyond 23 Cricket Podcast. S Sreesanth’s wife lashed out at Lalit Modi for releasing the footage, calling it a disgraceful act and damaging to their family. India’s former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has now also shared his two cents on the controversy. Expressing his displeasure over Modi’s antics, Ashwin urged everyone to forget the incident. Ashwin mentioned that Harbhajan came on his podcast and shared how he felt about the slapgate incident.
“It is the head of the anaconda that keeps on rising. In the modern day and age, footage and videos are everywhere. I just feel it is not a proud moment for both of them. I don’t wish to address too much about it. The incident is over. Everyone knows about it. Harbhajan came to our podcast and spoke about how he felt." Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin stressed the need to move on from the incident rather than pointing fingers and exaggerating the matter further.
”Yes, you made a mistake, and you need to live with it for the rest of your life. But you need to move on, too. Some folks may have done something like this at home and so the outside world would not know about it. I don’t wish to accuse anyone. The less we speak about it, the better. Anyone who makes a mistake, when they get a chance to move on, they take that chance," he added.
The Slapgate controversy dates back to 2008 IPL season
Bhajji-Sreesanth slapgate controversy took place on 25th April 2008 during the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League after the match between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians. Harbhajan Singh slapped S Sreesanth during the post-match handshake, although the exact reason for the same is still unclear. Harbhajan Singh was found guilty of "Level 4 offence" and was banned for eleven games.
Harbhajan Singh deeply regrets the incident and has mentioned numerous times that it was the biggest regret of his life. Both players have moved on from the incident and share a cordial relationship with each other.
