"I cried and begged not to ban Harbhajan Singh": S Sreesanth opens up

The year 2008 turned out to be quite controversial for Harbhajan Singh because of the 'Monkeygate' with Andrew Symonds and then the 'Slapgate' with S Sreesanth.

The Slapgate took place during the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in which Harbhajan was representing Mumbai Indians and Sreesanth Kings XI Punjab.

During a face-off between the two teams at PCA Stadium in Mohali, Kings XI Punjab came out triumphant. Sreesanth attempted to rub his nose over the victory and that agitated Harbhajan.

In a recent interaction, Sreesanth revealed what he told Harbhajan then: “Punjab Bombay ko haraayenge, Punjab Bombay ko haraaynge." Furious Harbhajan slapped Sreesanth, who was later seen crying inconsolably.

Now, Sreesanth has opened up that he cried and begged in front of BCCI-appointed Commissioner Sudhindra Nanavati to not punish Harbhajan.

"It was all sorted, thanks to Sachin Tendulkar. We met and had dinner on the same night but the media took it to the next level," Sreesanth told Cricketaddictor.

"I was literally crying and begging and telling Nanavati sir not to ban or do anything with Bhajji paa. There is also a video clipping of it. He is a match-winner, he has taken hat-tricks for India and I don't want anything to be taken away from him. I consider him as my elder brother," he added.