Robin Uthappa slammed the revival of the ‘Slapgate’ saga, emphasising that past mistakes shouldn’t be repeatedly brought into the spotlight.
‘Slapgate’ Video Resurfacing Sparks Outrage in Cricket Community
The release of the infamous 2008 IPL ‘Slapgate’ video by Lalit Modi and former Australia captain Michael Clarke has reignited controversy in the cricketing world. The footage, showing Harbhajan Singh slapping S. Sreesanth during an IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings, was one of the league’s most infamous incidents. Harbhajan was banned for 11 matches, but over the years, both players reconciled, publicly expressing regret and now sharing a friendly relationship through commentary, promotions, and professional engagements.
Despite their reconciliation, Modi and Clarke’s recent release of the video has caused backlash. Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa, part of that controversial match, criticised Clarke for publishing the footage. Speaking on the Kim-Appa show with Jarrod Kimber, Uthappa said, “That whole Slapgate thing that happened in the IPL. What the f** man? How does someone get away with stuff like that? Now, imagine we put up a clip of something that an Australian did that was offensive, that was kept under wraps for the respect of that whole situation… Now you have gone and published it, making those two people relive that raw emotion 20 years later.”*
The video’s release has reignited discussions about sensitivity, player dignity, and the ethics of revisiting long-settled controversies.
“You can’t treat people like crap…”: Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa slammed the revival of the ‘Slapgate’ saga, emphasising that mistakes shouldn’t be repeatedly highlighted and questioned racial double standards in cricket. He pointed out that non-brown players often escape scrutiny, while Indian players face prolonged embarrassment.
“Where is your sense of sensitivity and empathy for other people? We all make mistakes, but are we going to keep putting it out there to make people go through the embarrassment of the wrong choices the person has made? For me, it’s guys who aren’t brown skinned who get away with it a lot more,” Uthappa said.
